James Fredrick "Jim" Ahlander

1944 - 2023

James Fredrick Ahlander, our father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023, in Lehi, Utah, just one day before his 79th birthday. We are grateful he is free from his health challenges.

Jim was born March 22, 1944, to Elaine and Joseph Fredrick "Fred" and Anna "Elaine" Brown Ahlander, the first of five children. He lived his entire youth in Provo, Utah, and made many friends at Wasatch Elementary, Central Junior High, and Provo High School, some of whom he kept in touch with his entire life. He also attended Brigham Young University and studied economics.

He served a full-time mission in Norway for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the people, the language, and the culture. After his mission, he returned to BYU where he was a drummer in a jazz quintet, and they competed in the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival in St. Louis, of which he was very proud. He shared his love of Jazz with family and friends throughout his life.

While studying at BYU, Jim met Nancy Rollins. They were married on August 22, 1966, and later divorced. Their family grew to include seven children as they moved to a variety of different locations throughout the western United States while Jim pursued different job opportunities. Jim lived in Arizona the remainder of his life until these last four years, when he moved back to Utah, due to the loss of his sight through an accident.

Jim loved the mountains and frequently camped with his kids when they were young. Throughout his life, he always found refuge spending time outdoors. His career was primarily based in sales for various companies, mixed with his own entrepreneurial pursuits. Jim wasn't afraid to try new things and always dreamt big. He invented and patented a new type of scaffolding and started his own scaffolding company during the housing boom in that area.

His unwavering faith in God was a cornerstone of his life, and he desired to share it with others. He was an astute student of the scriptures and shared his knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ with family, friends, and acquaintances. He served many years in the Arizona Prison Ministries of the Church, teaching Sunday School to inmates. Jim also served as an ordinance worker in both the Mesa Arizona Temple and Gilbert Arizona Temple.

Jim is survived by his seven children: Bob, Rick (Charisa), John (Amy), Karin (Dave), Jenny (Ryan), Joseph (Lende), and Sarah (Robbie); 28 grandchildren; and his siblings: David Ahlander, Mike Ahlander (Becky), Ann Tucker, and Steve Ahlander (Leslee). He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Mike Tucker; and granddaughter, Klara

Service: Berg Drawing Room Chapel | Provo, Utah

Arrangements: Berg Mortuary of Provo

Interment: Provo City Cemetery

— Berg Mortuary | 2023