Vincent S. Ahlers

Vincent S. Ahlers, age 87 of Plymouth, passed away peacefully October 7, 2024. He is survived by wife, Barbara; daughter, Kim Billings (David); sons, Kevin (Shari), Michael (Susan) and Mark; 9 grandchildren, Thomas (Brittany), Matthew, Sean, Brian (Alysha), Christopher, Marie, Amanda (Mark), Sierra & Isaac; 6 great grandchildren, Hudson, Sydney, Eden, Levi, Zion, Ruth; brother, Arnold (Bonnie); sister-in-laws, Carolyn and Joan; other relatives and friends.  

Vincent Sylvester Ahlers was born November 10, 1936 at home on the farm in Moody County South Dakota. Vincent “Vince” is the second youngest of eight children, 6 boys and 2 girls, born to Joseph and Pauline Ahlers. Vince loved to share stories about growing up on the farm; his dad milking cows by hand; his mother’s garden; his team of horses; simple living; the importance of family and the strength he drew from his rural upbringing. 

Vince attended St. Mary Academy in Dell Rapids, SD where in the first grade he met the “love of his life” Barbara Ann Schwebach. They dated in high school and got married April 12, 1958. 

Shortly after high school graduation in 1954, Vince enlisted in the Navy. Boot camp is where he learned to swim and developed his love of the water. Vince’s first choice was Navy flight school. When that wasn’t available, he chose Meteorology school. That training landed him an assignment, during the Korean War, at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii tracking and mapping weather patterns to assist our Navy’s ships at sea. Vince learned that the “top of the class” got first choices for schooling and assignments so he made sure he was always first or second at the top of the class. That’s a legacy he has handed down to his children and grandchildren.

Vince returned from service in 1958 and he and Barbara were married in Dell Rapids, SD. They soon moved to Rapid City, SD where, with assistance of the G.I. Bill, Vince attended the School of Mines and Technology and earned an Electrical Engineering degree. Those college years were very lean and difficult for both of them. They were on the opposite side of the state from their families, living in a converted garage, and both did many odd jobs to make ends meet. The newlyweds soon started their family in Rapid City with a daughter (Kim) born in 1959 and a son (Kevin) born the following year.

In 1962, with an E.E. degree in hand, they moved to Minneapolis where Vince had his first professional engineering job with Honeywell and Barbara gave birth to their second son (Michael). They bought their first house in Brooklyn Center, MN and in 1966 their fourth child, a son (Mark) was born. From Honeywell, Vince was recruited into an up-and-coming computer company, Data Corp. The company grew quickly and became Control Data Corp (CDC). Vince worked in the early years for CDC as a system installer. 

In the mid 1960’s computers, with a fraction of the speed and power of your cell phone, took up entire city blocks of space. Vince tells of how he “crawled around inside computers” to install and trouble shoot problems. He shared many stories about his different installing/repairing trips that took him all over the country and abroad to places like Australia and South Korea. One of his favorite was the Pacific beach locations of San Diego/La Jolla, CA. In 1967, an extended job took Vince and his family to live in South Africa. Vince worked for CDC for25 + years and retired as CDC closed its doors. 

The lakeshore home in Plymouth was their family home since returning from South Africa in 1968 until 2023. The past 50+ years have been filled with raising a family and building a business. In the early 1970’s Vince started Ahlers Electric and worked as a Master Electrician. This was a side job while at CDC and full time thereafter until his retirement. 

In addition to his solid work ethic, Vince was dedicated to his family. He coached youth hockey, enjoyed boating, waterskiing and snowmobiling at their lakeshore home. Family gatherings/picnics and ballgames were a few of his highlights. Vince attended Mass regularly and loyally supported his church with service, time and treasure. Vince was a member of the Elks, the American Legion and of course is a veteran. From 2005 to 2019 Vince and Barbara enjoyed traveling to Mexico where they stayed at their favorite resort spot near Puerto Vallarta. Once again the beaches of the Pacific Ocean were a favorite of Vince’s to walk and wander. Vince enjoyed the sun, surf, activities and the friendly people who affectionately called him “Vicente”. Vince always enjoyed ‘visiting’ and would greet and chat with just about anyone. 

He is admired, loved and will be missed by many. 

Memorial Mass 11 AM Friday, 10/18 at the Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 105 Forestview Lane, Plymouth with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. 

Because of flower sensitivity, Please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Hospital or donate to your favorite charity in Vince's name.