Henriette Pauline "Polly" Gardere Ahrens, 94, of Hallettsville, Texas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. She was born on September 17th, 1924 in Denver, Colorado, and grew up on the island of Aruba.

Polly departed Aruba on a freighter at the age of sixteen and embarked on an adventure where she landed in New York City, took a train through New Orleans and ended up in Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin. At UT Austin she met her future husband, Henry Herman "Bob" Ahrens, Jr., on a blind date. They got married June 28, 1944 and moved to Hallettsville, TX.

Polly and Bob had nine children, seven girls and two boys. While raising her large family with her husband often traveling for business, She finished her education at the former Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. She went on to work as a caseworker in Old Age Assistance with the Department of Human Services.

Polly had lots of hobbies including swimming, sewing, reading, and tracking major weather storms. She also loved to travel and was always up for a road trip, including taking her children down to the bayhouse in Port Alto, TX. The house was always full, and there was always room for one more at the table to share a meal.

Although the love of her life preceded her in death after 43 years of marriage, Polly did not let that stop her. As her children grew their families, she took on the role of "Granny Polly" and visited and spoiled her grandchildren all over the great state of Texas. Her love of travel was evident on every trip she took with her friends and family, including returning to her beloved Aruba for her 40th wedding anniversary with her late husband.

Polly is survived by: her children, Kay (Fred) Strauss, Elba Collins, Bobby (Sharon) Ahrens, Amy Zingery, Paul (Patty) Ahrens, Frances (Tom) Gore, Alice (Stephen) Young, Ann (John) Goodman, Mary Griffin; grandchildren, Capt. James Strauss (USN), Laura (Jason) Williams, Norman Collins, Merrilyn Cooper, Lisa Collins, Jeffrey (Jill) Ahrens, Dr. Joseph Ahrens PHD, Allyson Ahrens, Carl Ahrens, Colleen (Jason) Benavides, Steven (Megan) Ahrens, Michael (Amber) Ahrens, Kristopher (Jennifer) Gore, Jason Gore, Zachary Gore, Karla (Daniel) Morgan, Beth (Chad) Avery, Rachel (Chad) Shimek, Travis Young, Jessica (Scott) Kubena, John (Jeff) Goodman, Austin Hamilton, Kyle Griffin and Katie Griffin; and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Polly was preceded in death by; her husband Henry Herman "Bob" Ahrens Jr., her parents, mother Elba Gertrude Staker Masters, step-father Frank Masters, and father Jean Paul Gardere.

The family would like to thank her caregiver, Donna Sobotik of Hallettsville, for the wonderful care she gave our mother, we are so grateful.

Funeral Mass Service : 10 am, Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home; with the Rosary starting at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Fred J. Strauss, Jr., Tom Gore, Stephen Young, John Goodman, Bobby Ahrens and Paul Ahrens. Officiants: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Hospice of South Texas, IWBS Sisters of Victoria or donor's choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Reception: at the Sacred Heart Family Center.