Wesley Arthur Ahlberg

Wesley Arthur Douglas Ahlberg, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Viewcrest Health Center. He was born in Jacobson, MN, on Christmas Day, 1931, in their neighbor’s sauna, to Arthur August Ahlberg and Jenny Autio Ahlberg. 

Wes grew up in Duluth, MN, spending his summers at the family farm in Jacobson.  He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1950.  He continued his education at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in Business and Economics, as well as being a part of ROTC.  While at UMD, he met Margaret McKenzie, whom he married in 1954 and spent their lives together until her death in 2017. Wes joined the Air Force in 1954 as an officer, traveling the country until retiring as a captain in 1958 and then serving in the Air Force Reserve. Wes began what would be his life career at Hermantown Schools as the Business Administrator in December 1961, retiring after more than 30 years in 1991. Wes and Margaret loved “antiquing” and were members of several antique car clubs.  They were charter members of Peace in Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown, where he served as the chair of the first building committee and sang in the choir.  He loved playing with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids and was so fortunate that his entire family lived in the Hermantown/Duluth area.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his sister Ethel Ernst, and brother-in-law David Nyquist. He is survived by his children: Douglas Arthur (Barbara) Ahlberg, Laura Ruth (Loren) Lilyquist, Kenneth Frazer Arthur Douglas Wesley (Michelle) Ahlberg; his grandchildren: Adam William (Kayla) Lilyquist, Benjamin Arthur (Heidi) Ahlberg, Nathan Douglas Ahlberg, Sara Ruth (Steven) Borndal, Megan Antoinette (Cory) Henkel, Mary Margaret (Anthony) Nelson, Hannah Dianne (Parker) Prewit, Paul Brian (Alyson) Ahlberg, Kiah Ruth Ahlberg; his great grandchildren: Carter William and Everly Paige Lilyquist; Nora Yvonne, Eloise Ann, Margo Marie, and August Arthur Ahlberg; his sister Nancy (Andy) Kazukewicz; his brother-in-law Leonard Ernst; his sister-in-law Ruth McKenzie Nyquist; many nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.

A private service was held with the immediate family.

A Celebration of Life Service to be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, 5007 Maple Grove Rd, Hermantown, MN 55811. 

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