Willie Ahrenholz

It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Wilhelmina (Willie) Joahnna Ahrenholz on October 1 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. She was 77.

On November 16, 1947, Willie was the first of ten children born to Gary and Nicki Vreeman. Born in Hull, Iowa, her family also spent time in California and Michigan during her early years. In 1965, Willie enrolled at Dordt College where she met the love of her life, David (Dave) Ahrenholz. They were married in 1968 and settled in Holland, Michigan where she taught kindergarten for six years. In 1970, the couple welcomed their first child, Christine. The family moved to Mount Vernon, Washington in 1973 where Willie continued to teach part-time and she and Dave welcomed two more children - Jonathan (1975) and Jeremy (1977). Youngest brother Jeffrey arrived in 1979 after the family made another move, this time to Bellflower, California. In California, Willie transitioned from teaching into a career in medical office management. In 1987 the family returned to the Pacific Northwest and made their home in Bellingham, Washington, where she and Dave have lived ever since.

After retiring from her work in office management, Willie remained dedicated to church activities, enjoyed participating in Whatcom Chorale, and became a volunteer at Mount Baker Theatre. Throughout her life she expressed her creativity through needlepoint, gardening, crafting, and interior decorating. She loved her family deeply and cherished time spent with her 11 grandchildren. The self-described ‘worrywart’ of the family necessitated lots of prayer and inquiry about our well-being. Extravagant Sunday dinners marked time to celebrate family and spend time together. Willie's legacy of patience, kindness, and encouragement lives on in the memories of her family as well as in those she inpired in her classroom.

In her later years, Willie faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s with strength and determination. Though the illness slowly took pieces of her memory, it never dimmed her spirit or the love she gave. Her smile would return and her eyes sparkle at the sight of her children and grandchildren. Dave, often found by her side during these trying times, was introduced as, ‘that’s my guy' only hours before her battle ended.

Willie is survived by her husband of 57 years, David Ahrenholz, as well as three children: Jonathan (Brie) Ahrenholz, Jeremy (Rachel) Ahrenholz, and Jeffrey (Nikki) Ahrenholz; eleven grandchildren: Alex (Christine), Emersyn and Addilee (Jon and Brie), Simeon, Everly, Jaymie, and Macklin (Jeremy and Rachel), Anna, Tess, Mirabelle, and Levi Ahrenholz (Jeff and Nikki), two great-grandchildren, Nolan and Matilda Ahrenholz (Alex and Caitlin) as well as five of her siblings: Rev. Jerry Vreeman (Cori), Tom Vreeman (Jacki), Mary Huizenga (Alan), Fred Vreeman (Jan), and Joan Rhodes (Jim). They will carry forward her values of strength and resilience.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Christine (2012), parents Gary (1983) and Nicki (1998), and siblings Betty (2024), Steve (2024), Jane (1995) and Joel (1988).

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Highgate Senior Living in Bellingham and the hospice staff who supported Willie with love and dignity during her journey with Alzheimer’s.

A service honoring Willie’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at 11:00 am at Hope in Christ Church, 710 E Sunset Dr Bellingham, WA 98226. We invite you to join us in celebrating her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to LION Outreach International or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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