Monica Dauffenbach Ahern

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
507-388-2288


Monica Dauffenbach Ahern died on August 21, 2017 in North Mankato at the age of 100.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, August 26 at 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato, with Fr. Paul van de Crommert as celebrant and Fr. Peter Nosbush as con-celebrant. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Monica was born on October 31, 1916, the oldest of six children born to Andrew and Ellen (King) Loeffler. She was raised on the family farm in rural Eagle Lake, MN. She attended the White School in District 127, a county school about a mile down the road from their farm. Monica set a school record at the Janesville High School when she entered there as a freshman at the age of 11 and graduated at the age of 15. She had the honor of being valedictorian of her graduating class in 1932.

Monica, following the path of her mother and aunts before her, began taking college courses and soon began her teaching career. Monica taught for two years at the Britton Country School in District 66 before returning to Janesville to teach in the elementary school in 1939.

On November 27, 1940, on the 25th anniversary of the marriage of her parents, Monica was united in marriage to Roy “Duke” Dauffenbach at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair, MN. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Duke and Monnie raised their children on his family farm in Belgrade Township in Nicollet County until moving to North Mankato in 1958.  While being a dedicated wife and mother, Monica continued taking college courses and earned a degree that allowed her to fulfill her passion for helping disadvantaged children. Monica secured a position in St. Peter, MN where she became the first special education teacher hired by the St. Peter school district. She effectively taught the children in the special education classes at the Central Annex School in St. Peter for 20 years until her retirement in 1979.

Monica’s 48 year marriage to Roy Dauffenbach ended with his death in 1988.   On October 31, 1992 she married Francis Ahern and they lived in North Mankato until his death in 2001.

Throughout Monica’s life, her love for God and family were evident. Her faith was most important to her, giving her strength and guiding her decisions during her journey through life. She was a very powerful role model, and her commitment to passing on the Catholic faith prompted her to send all six of her children to the Catholic schools. For the sacrifices that were made to have 12 years of Catholic school education, her children remain grateful.

Monica was a faithful member of Holy Rosary Parish, the Legion of Mary, and Catholic Daughters. In her retirement years, up into her eighties, she volunteered with the elderly School Sisters of Notre Dame at Good Counsel.

Monica is survived by three sons: John and his wife Debby of Mahtomedi, Jerry and his wife Donna of San Diego, Jim and his special friend Linda Anderson of Mankato. She is also survived by two daughters: Mary and her husband Gary Zellmer of North Mankato and Joan and her husband Richard Nichols of Otsego. Monica has eight grandchildren, five step grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, seven step great grandchildren and six step great-great grandchildren. Monica also leaves behind one step son, James Ahern and his wife Holly of Golden Valley, MN; two sisters-in-law, Charlotte Dauffenbach of Stillwater, MN and Patty Loeffler of Janesville, MN and one daughter-in-law, Betty Dauffenbach of North Mankato.

Monica was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers Lowell, Robert, James and John Loeffler, her sister Alice Juberien, two husbands, daughter-in-law Cheryl Dauffenbach and her son Joel.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Rosary Parish, Loyola Catholic School, the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Good Counsel or to the donor’s choice.

Monica’s family would like to thank the staff at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato where she received wonderful, loving care during the past several years. Our gratitude also goes to Mayo Clinic Hospice for their attention to Monica’s comfort during the last week of her life.