Jay E. Ackerman

George, IA        Jay E. Ackerman age 89 of George, IA died Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.        Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 6th at Zoar Presbyterian Church in George, IA with Rev. John Pea officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George.        Visitation will be Monday, February 5th from 4:00 to 8:00PM, with family present from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Zoar Presbyterian Church of George.      Jay Edmund Ackerman was born February 23, 1928, on the family farm near George, Iowa, the son of Edward P. and Kate (DeVries) Ackerman. He grew up on the family farm, where he milked cows by hand and where he spent “every spare minute” by the river fishing and hunting with his dad’s old Winchester 97. He attended country school (near the end of Dennis Schrick’s driveway) through the eighth grade and then started high school in George in the fall of 1941. He graduated high school in 1945. Jay was a proud member of the County Basketball Championship team.      In his autobiography, Jay wrote that when he was in 10th grade “times were tough—everything was rationed—sugar, coffee, tea, gas, and no tires, no lumber—just very tough.” His dad died in 1944 while Jay was still in high school. Jay worked at DX gas station, and for Richard Schrick as a hired hand. He always loved farming and caring for farm animals.     Jay was delighted when Anna May Duin finally agreed to date him. They were married on his 21st birthday, February 23, 1949, and they spent 62 happy years together. They made their home on a farm northeast of George where they milked cows, raised chickens and hogs, and raised five children. Jay was an extremely patient man, known for his kindness and quiet, thoughtful demeanor. He loved teaching his children about life and farming and was particularly thrilled that his son James and grandson Dustin wanted to farm.      Jay and Anna May were devoted members of Zoar Presbyterian Church and their love of God showed in their daily lives. Jay was a trustee, an elder, a deacon, on the cemetery board, on the board that built the new church, and was always helping with maintenance, repairs, delivering communion, Christmas caroling, etc. He served on the school board and elevator board. He and Anna May helped neighbors with hay baling or harvest of crops.      Jay and Anna May enjoyed fishing together in Minnesota, playing pinochle with neighbors, kids and grandkids, taking runs to the casino, and they ALWAYS took their children on a vacation each summer.      Jay is survived by daughter Renae (Gene) Rosenberg of Spirit Lake (children, Laura (Glen) Galvin and Paul (Kelly) Rosenberg); son Edgar (Camie) Ackerman of Mitchellville (children Camden (Lisa) and Jay); daughter Kayann of Spencer (children, Kyle (Kali) Rose, Kalli (Mike) Miller, and Kirk (Kate) Rose); son James (Ruth) Ackerman of George (children Bill (Abbie) Ackerman; Jared (Jenny) Ackerman, Jayna (Joe) Backus; and Dustin Ackerman); and son David (Roxanne) Ackerman of Rock Rapids (children Abbie (Jordan) Gacke, Ross Ackerman, Lexi Ackerman, and Kelsey Ackerman). Jay was proud of his 17 great-grandchildren and loved seeing each one. He is also survived by his sister, Mabel Drenth, of Ellsworth, MN, and sister in law Elaine (Kenneth) Geerdes of George.     Jay was preceded in death by his dear wife, Anna May, a grandson, Seth Ackerman, and his brother, Fredwin Ackerman.