Lana M (Snell) Ahrens

Lana Mae Ahrens was called by the Lord to join Him in Heaven on August 23, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Lana was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and a hero to many.  Lana was born March 8, 1958 in Miles City, MT to Nyle and Ellavon Snell.  She spent her early years growing up and going to school in Shelby, MT.  While in Shelby, she spent a lot of quality time with her Grandma Lela Snell, learning to cook, sew, crochet, play cards, and other valuable life lessons.  Her family moved to Sunburst where Lana graduated from North Toole County High School.  In 1976 she married Lynn Ahrens.  Lana held various jobs in Sunburst before hiring on at the Duty Free Store in Sweetgrass. She worked at the Duty Free Store for 25 years, where she advanced to the position of store manager.  During this time, she became the proud mother of three wonderful children.  Much of her life revolved around family, where she especially enjoyed big gatherings during holidays.  She particularly enjoyed following her kids’ sporting events through junior high, high school, college, and beyond.  It was during this busy time of her life she developed a passion for photography.  She became an accomplished, self-taught, photographer and started her own photography business.  She did many senior pictures, proms, 4-H, school, yearbook, family, and wedding pictures- making many new friends in the process.  Lana also relished camping trips with the family, where the more friends and family that went, the merrier.  Her favorite destinations included Glacier Park, Waterton Park, Yellowstone, Canyon Ferry, and Holter Lake.  As grandchildren came along, she cherished time with them and did her best to spoil them.

Lana is survived by her husband of 38 years, Lynn Ahrens of Sunburst, children, Janae Ahrens of Kalispell, Jerri High (Colt), of Clancy, and Steven (Afton) of Billings.  She is also survived by her sister Arla Blount (Rick) of Great Falls; brother Alan Snell  (Lisa) of Helena; father-in-law Bill Ahrens of Shelby; and grandchildren Treyton, Emma, Evan, and Harper.  Lana is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In the later months of her life, Lana was blessed with a wonderful surprise birthday party and a local benefit that brought friends and family together who shared a tremendous amount of love and support in her honor.  The world was a better place with her in it and her marvelous smile will be greatly missed.

Viewing will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby, who has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.  Her funeral service will be 11:00 am on Friday, August 29 at Sunburst Lutheran Church in Sunburst, followed by interment at Sunburst Cemetery.  Please visit Lana’s online memorial and leave a message of condolence at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com .