Renee Ahrens

Renee Ahrens, age 67 of Shakopee, MN, and formerly of Eau Claire, WI and Belle Plaine, MN, passed away on April 11, 2016. Memorial service will be at 11a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, MN. Rev. Mark Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8p.m. on Friday, April 22, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday morning. Renee was born in New Prague, MN on October 2, 1948 to Roger and Vera (Schmidt) Hillstrom. She grew up on a farm near East Union and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in Belle Plaine, MN. She attended college in St. Cloud, MN and Eau Claire, WI. She was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, teaching in Jordan, MN and Eau Claire, WI. She taught as a substitute teacher in Shakopee, MN after she retired. She was loved by her students, and many reached out to her over the years to thank her for the influence she had been in their lives. Her far reaching enthusiasm for teaching extended as far away as Japan, where she connected with many educators and teachers. She also welcomed many foreign exchange students into her home over the years. She loved the time she spent with family and traveling, and she was our social butterfly who was always arranging gatherings for her family and friends. Renee is survived by her two children, Michelle (Steve) Kamrowski of Menasha, WI, and Troy Ahrens of Sun Prairie, WI; precious grandchildren, Melissa, Connor, & Tyler Kamrowski, and Mia & Addison Ahrens; sisters, Rita (Tom) Redman of Chaska, MN and Ruth Ann (Jim) Nytes of Henderson, MN; sister-in-law Annette Hillstrom of Jenks, OK; brother-in-law Glenn (Myrna) Ahrens; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. She was joined in death with her soulmate Terry Weimer, and is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ron. Although her passing was a tragedy, we are comforted in knowing that the past few years were some of her happiest. Her influence will have far reaching effects for years to come. Renee's legacy is found in the spirit of the Butterfly Effect. Even though she was but one person, her influence rippled like the water on a pond through the lives of many. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.

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