Stephanie Julia Ahrens, age 25, of Appleton, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 12, 2023.  Stephanie was born on January 7 ^th , 1998, in Kirov, Russia.  She was adopted by her loving parents, Steve and Dawn (Maurer) Ahrens in 1998.  Stephanie graduated with the class of 2016 at Appleton East High School.  She worked in customer service at Walmart and most recently, because of her great love of animals, at Petco.  She enjoyed participating in cheer and dance squads, swimming, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

She will be missed by her son, Emery; her parents, Steve and Dawn Ahrens, Appleton; paternal grandfather, Reginald Ahrens, Appleton; maternal grandmother, Jeannette Maurer, Menominee, MI; 2 uncles, Todd Maurer, Washington Township, MI and Jay (Julie) Maurer, and their children Joshua (Becky), Bryony, and Jarron, of Wellington, OH; and her feline friend, Dixie.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother Ella Ahrens, and maternal grandfather Richard Maurer.

A funeral service will take place at 7 pm on Friday, January 20, at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel.  Friends may visit at the funeral chapel on Friday from 3 pm until 6:45 pm.  Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Appleton.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.