Clara E. Akkerman

George, Iowa Clara Akkerman age 83 of George, IA died Sunday, November 12, 2006 at the George Community Good Samaritan Center in George. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, with Pastor Bryan Anderson, officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery prior to the memorial services. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00"8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00"8:00 p.m. at the Roste Funeral Home of George. Clara Akkerman was born April 28, 1923 in Emery, SD third child of Jacob and Gertie (Janssen) Akkerman. She lived there and attended school until her parents and siblings moved to a family farm near Rock Rapids, Iowa in 1934. She attended country school with her siblings four miles from their home through 8th grade. In 1941, her family moved to a farm just outside of George. Clara helped her parents on the farm until 1956, when she moved to Des Moines at the bidding of her cousin. Her first job in Des Moines was with Allied Insurance where she worked for several years before obtaining a position as the assistant to the Des Moines Fire Chief. She maintained that position until her retirement from the department in 1987. Grant Park Christian Church was her home church during her life in Des Moines. Clara and her friend Ruth, vacationed together traveling to many places in the US, Europe, and Hawaii. In 1987, she moved to George enjoying church activities, birthday club, bowling and being with her family. The Good Samaritan Center became her home in October of 2001 as Alzheimers began taking its toll on her memory. She lived there until her death on Sunday, November 12, 2006. Her nieces and nephews grew up being treated royally by their aunt. Each of them looked forward to trips to Des Moines to visit their aunt who generously treated them to trips to the fire department, favorite restaurants, shopping and the State Fair. Clara cared for and spoiled her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. Creating delicious meals for her family gave her much joy and at Christmas time everyone anticipated the mounds of delightful cookies that would arrive at family celebrations. Many family memories were created around feasts that Clara prepared with the most requested meal being that of her famous cast iron skillet fried chicken. Those times together will be special memories that will be cherished for years to come. Clara is survived by her youngest brother Richard (Mary) Akkerman, George, nephew Ronald (Sandi) Blau, Sibley, niece Carol (Vince) Luitjens, George, nephew Wendell Blau, LeMars, niece Bonnie (Tom) Samuelson, Washta, Karen (Jeff) Smith, Madison, WI. Great nieces and nephews, Rodney (LeAnn) Blau, Ryan (Amy) Blau, Amy (nee Blau) (Keith) Hakeneis, Jason Blau, Wendy Samuelson, Trisha Smith and Joshua (Jess) Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Gertie Akkerman, brother Ollie and his wife Vera, one brother in infancy, sister Anna and her husband Bernard Blau, grandnieces, Michele Blum and Tiffany Blau, and grandnephew, Ricky Blau.