Obituary of Germaine Ahles

Germaine L. Ahles, 78, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Friday, June 28, 2013 at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids. Services will be at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday July 3rd at St. Paul?s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. James Douglas will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center and from 12:30 P.M. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church. Germaine was born May 17, 1935 in Wisconsin Rapids to Ernest and Genevieve (Smith) Zager. She married Ronald Ahles on September 7, 1954 in Iowa. Germaine was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids for over 55 years and was a preceptor for many newly hired employees over the years. She was the longest tenured employee at Riverview. Germaine enjoyed her work at the hospital and the camaraderie she had with her fellow employees and the many patients she served. She was an avid outdoors person and enjoyed horseback riding, canoeing, and tending to the flowers and plants in her yard. Germaine was a member of Riverview Hospital?s ?20 and Over Club? and ?Golden Girls of Riverview?. She was a woman of great faith and a longtime member of St. Paul?s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids and a member of its homebound ministry team. Germaine is survived by her husband, Ronald Ahles and her children: Rhonda (Gary) Matthews, Debra (Thomas) Wittrock, and Rick (Pamela) Ahles, all of Wisconsin Rapids; eight grandchildren: Justin (Fritzi) Matthews, Jared (Shaylyn) Matthews, Stephanie (Tony) Clementi, Jordan (Abigail) Matthews, Emily and Benjamin Wittrock, and Ashley and Amanda Ahles; step-granddaughter, Jessi (Bob) Halstead; thirteen great-grandchildren: Christian, Caleb, Lauryn, Layla, Halle, Breelia, Brooklyn, and Michael Matthews, Jonathan D., Landon, Addisen, and Clayton Clementi, and Liam Matthews (and four more on the way); one brother, Ronald (Laurel) Zager; brother-in-law, Vernon (Barb) Ahles; sisters-in-law: Lois (Frank) Johnson and Jean (Donald) Reeves; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Jenna Lynn; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim (Bonnie) Ahles. Memorials may be designated to St. Paul?s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Northland Lutheran High School, or the Riverview Hospital Foundation.