Enoch "Slim" Ahlfield, 91, of Mason City, passed away on November 20, 2020.
He was born on March 5, 1929, in West Salem, to Edwin Henry and Harriet Dorothy (Knakmuhs) Ahlfield.
Enoch is survived by his children, Connie (Donald) McLaughlin, Steven (Kay) Ahlfield and Janet Stanley; grandchildren, Jeremiah McLaughlin, Nate (Brianne) McLaughlin, Megan (Eric) Glatt, Cory Ahlfield, Kyle Ahlfield, Zach (Rachel) Stanley, Sarah (Jacob) Reeves and Anna Stanley; great-grandchildren, Owen McLaughlin, Wyatt McLaughin, Emmett McLaughlin, Avyana Glatt, Garrett Glatt; brothers, Jim Ahlfield and Herman (Mary) Ahlfield and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna (Mieure) Ahlfield; his son, Alan Paul Ahlfield and eleven siblings.
Enoch left his home in West Salem at age 13 so he could continue attending school in Olney. By working after school and at night sweeping floors in a drugstore, shining shoes at a pool hall, bellhopping at the hotel, working at the dry cleaner and laboring at the ice house, he made enough money to eat and rent a room while attending school. At age 17, he enlisted in the Army. He served from 1946 to 1948 as an Army clerk for the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, New Mexico. Enoch and his wife, Edna, were married on April 15, 1949 in Olney, IL. Enoch had many jobs in his lifetime. He worked as an oil well driller and tester in Wyoming, Utah and Montana in the 1950s; he was a barber and coal miner in Springfield and Pawnee, Illinois from 1960 to 1990. Post-retirement work included stints as a night janitor at SIU Medical School, as an asbestos removal crew member and buying/managing a motel in Mason City. He saw every job as a new adventure and as a challenge to be mastered. He was a hard worker with an exceptionally strong work ethic - something he expected from others, regardless of the type of work required. Enoch had many interests. In his younger years, he liked to fish and hunt. He loved to talk with people and found common interests with each person that often resulted in long conversations and lasting relationships. He enjoyed telling stories and jokes and was quick to smile and laugh. He liked getting a "good deal" and found great enjoyment in going to farm sales and auctions to find great treasures. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and took great pride in his family's achievements, professionally and academically. Enoch was their biggest fan, no matter what their interests were at the time.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date with graveside services at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choosing.
Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.

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