Gregory Louis Walter Ahrendt was born on December 15th, 1953 in Vermillion, South Dakota to Ludwig Julius Ahrendt and Alice Beatrice Johnson Ahrendt. At the age of 5 he moved to Rapid City, and it was amongst the babbling brooks and piney forests of the sacred Black Hills that he developed a powerful relationship with nature and an understanding that we are all from the same source. He lived that truth through a lifetime of service to special needs and otherwise marginalized populaces. On April 28th, 2020, after years of love, leadership, and making waves out of ripples, Greg departed from his earthly body.

Greg served his country in the Army, studied Vietnamese at the Defense Language Institute, and later became a radar mechanic.  An avid writer, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with an English degree. The learning never stopped; his insatiable curiosity drove him to seek new knowledge every day. Greg also pursued an array of hobbies; he was an eclectic music aficionado, avid motorcyclist, photographer, fossil & mineral hunter, fisherman (especially in his beloved Black Hills), and general outdoorsman. Greg descended from some of the first German and Norwegian settlers in southeast South Dakota, one of whom built the first permanent log cabin in Dakota Territory. Greg was proud of this heritage and embodied the mighty Viking spirit throughout his life, especially in his most recent battle over the past two years.

Greg was a loving husband and father of 4 who taught his children and those he crossed paths with the art of self-reliance and how to move through life's ebbs and flows with grace, gratitude, and a sense of humor. His boundless respect and compassion for all forms of life will not be forgotten – his legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, living his dash compassionately and selflessly.

Along with his parents, Greg was preceded in passing of physical life by his stepmom, Ardis Ahrendt; brothers, Devin Ahrendt and Brian Kandaras; and sisters, Gwenythe Christensen and Glenda Harris.  He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Paula Ahrendt, of Fredericksburg; his 4 children:  Asher Ahrendt (Melinda Monroe) of Columbus, OH, Ffjorren Zolfaghar of Kingwood, TX,  Atticus Ahrendt (Amanda Rowe) of Fredericksburg, TX  and Hylary Ahrendt, of Denver, CO; step-brothers Barry Harris of Rapid City, SD and Kevin Harris of South Carolina; brothers-in-law, Randy Mallon and David Mallon (Julie) of Round Rock; 2 nephews and 2 nieces. Greg derived much joy from his 8 grandchildren, Ariana, Willow, Aramia, Bella, Leuca, Nayely, Amaris, and Zephyr.

A celebration of Greg's life will be held at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Hill Country SPCA, Hill Country Community Needs Council or the charity of your choice.

Wenn viele kleine Leute an vielen kleinen Orten viele kleine Dinge tun, können sie das Gesicht der Welt verändern.

Many small people who in many small places do many small things  can alter the face of the world.

-           African Proverb