Dennis Lynn Ahrendsen

Dennis Lynn Ahrendsen grew up on a farm between Olin and Oxford Junction in Jones County and was active in 4-H. Ahrendsen was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Olin where he was an usher for several years. He graduated from Olin High School in the class of 1965 and attended Iowa State University for three semesters. Before entering the serve Ahrendsen returned to Jones County to work on the farm and he was married in August 1967. That October he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Vietnam in March 1968. He served with the 4th Infantry Division as an infantryman near Ban Me Thout area north of Saigon. SP4 Ahrendsen was killed by enemy gun fire on Friday, September 6, 1968 while on a reconnaissance mission. Memorial services were held at his church and local high school before his body was buried in the Olin Cemetery.