Brenda Lee Ahrenholtz was born on March 2, 1964, to Betty (Stuhr) and Lloyd Jensen in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa. She began going to school in Harlan until her family moved. After graduation, she went on to attend Iowa Western Community College where she received her CNA in Nursing. Brenda married David Buttry and they were blessed to have two wonderful boys, Michael and Calvin.
On March 17, 2009, Brenda was united in marriage to Keith Ahrenholtz, and her family grew with three new “bonus” daughters. They made their home in Defiance, Iowa, where they were members of the United Methodist Church. Brenda spent many years as a Certified Nurse’s Aide in home healthcare. She also worked at the Shelby County Rosman Glendale Golf Course and the MC Bar and Grille in Earling for many years.
Brenda’s favorite “career” was being a doting mother to her children. She also enjoyed being a “Mom” to not only her sons, but many of their friends as well. One of her greatest joys was being “Gigi” to her 13 grandchildren making crafts, spoiling them (especially at Christmas), and most importantly spending time with them. In her free time, Brenda enjoyed finding ways to improve her home. She loved flowers, trees, and anything that created oxygen since she was often short of it, entertaining around the pool, and telling Keith what to do!
Brenda passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medicine Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Lloyd Jensen, and her brother, Scott Jensen.
She is survived by her husband, Keith Ahrenholtz of Defiance, IA; children, Michael (Kady) Buttry of Papillion, NE; Calvin Buttry (Stephanie) of Granger, IA; Tiffany (Mitch) Wood of Ankeny, IA; Alyssa (Mark) Meier of Waukee, IA; Kimberly (Mike) Huyser of Indianapolis, IN; 13 grandchildren, siblings, Christine Best of St. George, UT; Mike (Adrienne) Jensen of Ivins, UT; sister-in-law, Terry Jensen of Diamond Valley, UT; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for 61 year old Brenda Lee Arenholtz of Defiance will be held on Tuesday January 6, 2026 at 11:00AM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, IA. Visitation will be held on Monday January 5, 2026 from 4PM to 6PM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, IA. Burial at the Union Township Cemetery in Defiance, IA.
