NOTICE OF DAY AND TIME CHANGE; DUE TO THE EXTREME WEATHER AND I-94 BEING CLOSED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HANS AHLNESS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY.

Hans Ahlness, 55, of Fargo, ND.
Memorial Services will be on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Mark Nygard will officiate with burial to follow in the Tuttle Cemetery, rural Rhame, ND. There will be a Family and Friends Service for Hans on Wednesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church.

Hans Peter Ahlness, 55, of Fargo, ND, died on December 1, 2016, when the aircraft he was piloting crashed near Fargo. Hans was born April 18, 1961, in Bowman, North Dakota, the son of Dr. Paul and Peg (Jock) Ahlness. He grew up in Bowman and graduated in 1979 from Bowman High School. While in high school he participated in sports and music. He met the love of his life, Jane Folske, while in high school. He proudly referred to Jane as his trophy wife. Hans and Jane were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman, on December 28, 1984. Their two wonderful children; daughter, Alex and son, Sean, completed their family. Hans' love affair with aviation began at an early age. Encouraged by his close neighbor, Wilbur Brewer, Hans was often seen at the Bowman County Airport, learning whatever he could (bugging whomever he could) about all things aviation-related, as he aspired to take wing himself. Hans attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, from 1979-1983, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration while pursuing a pilot's license. He held his Commercial Aviation License with his Single-/Multi-Engine Instrument rating, as well as his Certified Flight Instructor licenses (CFI, CFII, MEI). In addition to those many ratings, Hans was an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with his Inspection Authorization, which he earned at Dakota Aero Tech in Fargo. Hans' flying career seemed preordained as flying emerged early as the focus of his professional life. His career flying cloud seeding missions began in the summer of aught '82, when he flew as a UND intern co-pilot on the Bowman-based turbo Twin Comanche. In subsequent summers he flew as a captain on the project, eventually accruing 35 seasons on the North Dakota project. In the earlier years, he worked as both aircraft mechanic and project pilot! In 1985, Hans became a full-time employee at Weather Modification, Inc., where he remained employed as Vice President of Operations until his death. He was active in the weather modification field first as a radar operator on the Brewer Farm, then as pilot, instructor, mechanic, and manager. Over his nearly forty years working in the field he mentored and trained hundreds of pilots (and many field meteorologists!) while flying charter flights intermittently. He was a Weather Modification Association Certified Operator—the first pilot to be so certified—and recently served the WMA as its president. Hans was notorious for his spontaneous dry humor, smile, and good nature, yet he remained a tireless professional who thought nothing of a long day or extended participation in 24/7 field projects. He was very well known in the industry and a dear friend to many. Hans was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He loved his family-even more than aviation, changing his work position so as not to miss Allie's concerts or Sean's cross country and track meets. Watching UND hockey brought him much joy and tinkering on the family vehicles kept him out of trouble. In recent years, he began restoring a 1952 Packard (The Grey Ghost) in earnest. Since the early 2000s, he highly anticipated the annual trip to Cancun with Jane and often some combination of their children, their parents, or close friends. He is remembered as a great story-teller, inventive mechanic, and the loyal friend who could be called on in any situation. He would assist, advise (if asked, as he often was), teach, and listen as needed. We all feel Hans' absence greatly. His professional expertise cannot be replicated. Nor can his humor,
though we will do our best impressions, which he would have heartily enjoyed. His laugh will echo through the hangar and house, while his smile lives on through his children. Hans is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jane; daughter, Alexandra; son, Sean; mother, Peg Ahlness; sister, Rev. Lisa Ahlness (Rev. VanVechten Crane); mother-in-law, Dora Folske; 8 nieces and nephews, 12 grand nieces/nephews, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and many dear friends. Hans was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Paul Ahlness, and father-in-law, Robert "Bob" Folske. Funeral services are 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 7 at Bowman Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Krebsbach & Kulseth Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, December 10 at Fargo Jet Center. A scholarship fund in Hans' name has been established at the University of North Dakota Alumni Association Foundation, 3501 University Ave. Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.