Mary Ilene Akkerman

George, IA Mary I. Akkerman age 88 of George, IA died Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 23rd at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Paul Soderquist and Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will be prior to the service at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery of George, IA. Visitation will be Friday, November 22nd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Memorials may be directed to Union Gospel Mission, 701 E 8th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57103. Mary Ilene (Boom) Akkerman was born June 25, 1925 to John and Nora (Schultz) Boom at George, IA. Mary attended school at Liberal Township School and then George High school where she graduated in 1943. After graduating she attended Westmar College in Le Mars, IA attaining her teaching certificate. Her teaching career led her to Swea City and Sibley. On September 3, 1950, she was married to Richard Akkerman in George, reaching 63 years of marriage this past September. To this union their daughter Karen was born in March 1957. For most of their married life they farmed north of town on the Boom family farm. Later on she returned to Westmar to complete her bachelor degree and began teaching 3rd grade in the Central Lyon school district, first in Doon and then in Rock Rapids until 1987 when she retired. Those who knew Mary knew of her passion for teaching and her students. She also enjoyed music as she played organ and piano for church since she had been in high school. Flowers and gardening were things she took pleasure in as well. Mary had been a member of the Evangelical United Brethren/Methodist church since childhood and was active there until the church closed in 1995. After an illness requiring hospitalization in January 2011, she recuperated at the Good Samaritan Center in George and subsequently remained there until her passing. Mary passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids on Tuesday evening, November 19, which coincidentally was her mother's birthday. Those who will cherish her memory are her husband Richard of George; daughter, Karen Smith and her husband Jeffrey of Zionsville, IN; granddaughter Trisha Huset and husband Tim of Madison, WI; grandson Joshua Smith and wife Jessica of Franklin, TN; great- grandchildren Tanner and Brayden Huset, Averey and Emerson (Emi) Smith; sister Lonnelle Lenderts of Random Lake, WI; nieces Carol Luitjens, Bonnie Samuelson, Barbara Lenderts, and nephews Dale Lenderts, and Jay Lenderts and many other friends and relatives. The family of Mary would like to acknowledge the special care she received during her stay at the Good Samaritan Center which was bestowed with tenderness and love. We are deeply grateful. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nora Boom, brothers Robert (infant) and Donald Boom, sister-in-laws Ann Blau, Clara Akkerman and Vera Akkerman, brother-in-laws Merle Lenderts and Ollie Akkerman.