Chris "Digger" Ahles

Chris "Digger" J. Ahles, 47, of New Albin, IA, died Friday, April 19, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 26th, at 11:00 AM at Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in New Albin with Pastor Tommy Case officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at the church. Lunch will follow at the New Albin Community Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Christopher "Digger" James Ahles was born December 7, 1976, in Waukon, IA, the son of James and Judith (Vongroven) Ahles. He grew up in Dorchester, was baptized and confirmed at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1995. At a party, Chris met Stephanie Lee; they married on October 18, 1996, in New Albin. After high school, Chris worked for Kerndt Monuments in Waukon, setting monuments and helping dig graves, hence the nickname "Digger". Then for about 15 years, Chris changed tires and drove truck for RC Tire and Trucking before working at Rainbow Quarry as their head mechanic for the past seven years or so.

A master tinkerer, Chris could pretty much fix anything (sometimes with the help of his brother Kyle) and loved tearing stuff apart to see what was going on inside. His most beloved project was restoring (with Stephanie's and his some of his nieces' help) his grandpa Vongroven's 1942 John Deere B tractor that he liked to show off in parades. Chris also went mudding and off-roading in his "Bubba J" truck. He enjoyed grilling and smoking meats, often making his own spice blend rubs. He spent a lot of time hunting and fishing as well, taking many family fishing trips to catch whatever was biting.

Chris is survived by his wife Stephanie of New Albin; his brother Kyle (Jennifer) Ahles of Waterloo, IA; sister Katie (Ben) Leusink of Ireton, IA; nieces and nephews: Robert Ahles, Seth and Dominick Leusink, Aubrie (Patrick) Monroe, Ashton and Evan Lenz, and Bretton (Demetra) and Brandon Wilker; great-nephews and niece: Leo and Levi Monroe and Adley Lenz; and mother-in-law Karen Sires.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five children; and an infant niece Lillian Leusink.

Honorary urnbearers are Joseph Ahles, Dan Bechtel, Brock Christianson, Mikey Mitchell, Derek Muchow, and Ron Rowe Jr.