Daniel “Dan” Ahrens (3/10/56-6/24/26), a longtime Iowa City, Iowa resident, respected concrete industry leader, entrepreneur, coach, and devoted family man, passed away on June 24, 2026 at age 70. Born in 1956 in the Sigourney/Harper area of Iowa to Ronald Fredrick Ahrens and Marjorie Ann (Weber) Ahrens, Dan grew up on the family farm west of Harper. He absorbed the values of hard work, resilience, and perseverance early on while helping his father with construction projects such as irrigation dams and hog confinement buildings.
At age 18, Dan founded Ahrens Concrete Co. He built it into a major regional and national player. specializing in large-scale flat concrete floors, footings, parking lots, warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and specialized projects (including post offices, government landing strips, and gas stations). It completed work across 42 states for high-profile clients including IBM, Boeing, Nike, Hormel, Sears, John Deere, Wal-Mart (notably a massive 1-million-square-foot distribution center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1983, followed by many more), W.W. Grainger, Menard’s, and local landmarks such as the Coral Ridge Mall project. The firm ranked among the top five flat-floor contractors nationally by square footage. Dan was an innovator and early adopter of technology. In 1988 he invested in laser screeds for precision flat floors essential for efficient forklift and warehouse operations. Family members including his father Ron, mother Marge, sister Rhonda, brother Randy, and associate Jeff Moore and Luke Paulsen were involved over the years.
Dan married Jill Armstrong. Together they raised their children—Andrew (Allye) Ahrens, Lindy Ahrens, and Aliou (Tiffany) Keita—in the Iowa City area. He took immense pride in his family and supported their endeavors; his son Andrew later partnered with Adam Brantman in local business ventures. Dan was a devoted grandfather who never wanted to miss a sporting event. Dan was also deeply involved in youth basketball as a coach.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Ronald Fredrick Ahrens (1926–2023) and Marjorie Ann Ahrens (1929-2018).
Dan is survived by his wife, Jill of the Iowa City area; children Andrew (Allye) Ahrens, Lindy Ahrens, and Aliou (Tiffany) Kieta; grandchildren Ella, Jordyn, Rose, Kenley, and Kayden. siblings Lyle Ahrens of Harper, Rhonda (Jon) Aller of Iowa City, and Randy (Kami) Ahrens of North Liberty.
Dan will be remembered as a larger-than-life figure who turned Iowa grit and ingenuity into a nationally recognized concrete business, a devoted husband and father who supported his children’s paths, a coach who instilled discipline in young athletes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a local youth basketball/sports programs.
The family appreciates the outpouring of support during this time.
Visitation: Thursday July 2, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the St. Mary Catholic Church – Sigourney, IA.
Funeral Service: Thursday July2, 2026 10:00 a.m. St. Mary Catholic Church – Sigourney, IA.
Burial St. Elizabeth Cemetery – Harper, IA
Arrangements Holm Funeral Home – Sigourney, IA