Margaret E. Ahlers, age 85, of West Bend, passed away Friday October 31, 2014 at the Samaritan Health Center.
Margaret was born in West Bend on October 27, 1929 to the late Edwin and Pauline (nee Illian) Ahlers, and raised on the family farm in the Town of Trenton.
Beekeeping was a big part of Margaret's life. She started working with bees at the age of nine. Over the years she has won many awards for her Honey, and received the Wisconsin Beekeeper of the year award in 1988. She was known by many as the "Honey Lady". She helped many others in starting their own Beekeeping endeavors. In 1956 she helped start Honey Grove Ice Cream Company with her brother-in-law Clyde Darmody of which she was still part owner. Margaret helped her father in raising Red Poll Cattle on the farm, and received awards for showmanship. She also worked at the former National Tea and Sentry food stores.
She was a member of Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend. Margaret was also a member if the Washington & Ozaukee County Beekeepers Assoc., the Wisconsin Honey Producers Assoc., and the American Beekeeping Assoc.
She is survived by a sister, Joanne Moths; four nieces, Cheryl (Don) Thill, Renee (Jim) Riddle, Sharon Guerten, and Shelly Herbert; eight nephews, Kenneth (Sue) Darmody, Keith (Connie) Darmody, Kim (Kandie) Darmody, John Ahlers, James (Carol) Ahlers, Jerry (Danette) Ahlers, Ron Moths, and Steve Moths; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister and her husband, Mildred & Clyde Darmody; a brother, Harold Ahlers; and a brother-in-law, Vernon Moths.
Funeral services in remembrance of Margaret will be held on Sunday November 9th at 3:00 pm at Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church (462 Meadowbrook Dr.) West Bend. Pastors Joseph Fisher and Christopher Raffa will co-officiate. Visitation will be Sunday at the church from 1:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park on Monday at 10:00 am.
Memorials to Pilgrim Church or the charity of your choice are appreciated by the family.
A special thank you is extended to the staff at the Samaritan Health Center and Seasons Hospice for the wonderful care Margaret received.