Former first lady of Rolling Meadows dies

The City of Rolling Meadows lost one of its more prominent residents this week.

Betty A. Ahrens, the wife of former Mayor William D. Ahrens, passed away on Sunday. The former 41-year Rolling Meadows resident, was 78.

Though Mrs. Ahrens had lived in Florida since 1991, her years in Rolling Meadows had been memorable. She went from a housewife and busy mother of five to become the First Lady of Rolling Meadows from 1979 to 1990.

"I'm not sure (the public spotlight is) something she ever would have sought," said Mary Rock of Rolling Meadows, whose husband, John, served as an alderman in Rolling Meadows.

"She supported Bill's career, and always backed him up, but she preferred to stay in the background."

The couple moved to Rolling Meadows in 1960, only five years after it incorporated. With their growing young family, they became involved in a variety of local activities, including city government.

Mr. Ahrens eventually ran for a seat on the city council, and served two terms before being elected mayor. He resigned in the middle of his term in 1990 because of health concerns, leading the couple to retire to Florida.

However, his imprint on the city remained, and by extension, hers. In 1997, the Daily Herald named Mr. Ahrens as one of the top powerbrokers who had helped to shape the Northwest suburbs.

During his years in office, Mrs. Ahrens attended all public functions with her husband, from social gatherings to parades and dedication ceremonies. "Where Bill was, she was," Mary Rock adds.

She stopped short of attending city council meetings, friends say, leaving the business of running the city, to her husband.

"I just remember them on the dance floor at all the old Christmas parties," says Linda Blane, whose husband, Rod, was the city's community development director. "They made an attractive couple."

The couple made lasting friends in their Rolling Meadows neighborhood, and gathered regularly every Sunday to watch football games together.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Ahrens is survived by her children, including Debra (Joseph) Stoltman, Linda (Paul) Posco, William Jr. (Laura), Pamela Ahrens and Betty Ann Suchala; 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass takes place at 10 a.m. today at St. Colette Church, 3615 Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows.