Watch Herb's Funeral

Herbert Ahles, age 85, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly Waubun, MN, died Monday, September 28, 2020, at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes.

Herbert Edward Ahles, the son of Michael and Katherine (Kleis) Ahles was born February 27, 1935, in Waubun, MN. He grew up in the Waubun area where he attended school through the 8 ^th grade. Herb enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 19 and was stationed at Fort Richardson near Anchorage, AK, where he spent 17 months driving truck until returning to Waubun in 1956. On February 4, 1958, Herbert was united in marriage to Mary Ann Blattenbauer at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun. They made their home in Waubun and were blessed with two children, Barbara & Michael. Herb was employed as a truck driver for Bement's Oil of Waubun from 1956 until 1971 before he purchased the Texaco bulk oil dealership in 1971. He owned and operated the business for 10 years before selling and taking a job with the United States Postal Service where he was employed for 15 years. During the 1960's and 1970's, Herb was deputized as a County Deputy and worked as a part-time city policeman for Waubun. He was also Fire Chief of the Waubun Fire Department for 11 years and Assistant Fire Chief for 4 years, serving a total of 24 years with the department.

In his spare time, Herbert was involved with the Waubun Area Men's Organization and Knights of Columbus. He loved to fish, hunt, ride snowmobiles and four-wheelers. Herb was known to keep the City of Waubun and Highway 59 & 113 clean of aluminum cans and garbage. He was also a groundskeeper for WAMO and helped maintain the baseball fields in Waubun for several years.

Herb and MaryAnn continued to make their home in Waubun until January 2010 at which time they moved to Detroit Lakes. MaryAnn died that October and Herb continued to make his home in Detroit Lakes.

Herbert is survived by one daughter, Barbara (Paul) Brehm of Waubun; one son, Michael (Yvonne Bakken) Ahles of Detroit Lakes, MN; two grandsons, Scott (Tammy) Brehm, and Brett (Kelsey) Brehm both of Waubun; six great-grandchildren: Faith Haspel, Maverick Brehm, Taya Brehm, Karidee Lefebvre, Cheslyn Brehm and Tyce Brehm; sister, Madeline (Jerome) Benson of Waubun; sisters-in-law, Olene Ahles and Colleen Blattenbauer both of Waubun; brother-in-law, Daniel Blattenbauer of Bemidji, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

Herbert was preceded in death by his wife, MaryAnn; parents, Michael and Katherine; and brothers, Ervin and Leonard.

Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held Sunday, October 4, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN. A Time of Gathering will be held from noon - 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Family Funeral Home, Mahnomen, MN.  Inurnment will take place at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Waubun.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate.