Eugene Milton Ackerman

Spirit Lake, IA

Eugene Ackerman age 88, of Spirit Lake, IA, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, IA. 

A private funeral service will be held this week at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.  Burial will be held at the Hope Cemetery in Sibley.

Eugene Milton Ackerman was born on August 17, 1935 to Mitchell and Carrie (Kruse) Ackerman in Sibley, Iowa. He grew up on the Ackerman farm southeast of Little Rock, Iowa.  Gene had many fond memories of growing up on the farm with his twin brothers, Dennis and Curtis, his pony, Tiny, and working on the farm with his family.

Gene Ackerman served his country in the Army. He was a man who had several career and business ventures including selling John Hancock insurance, owning and operating local motels and a photography business creating church and bank directories.  Gene, a truly self-made man, built his success on a foundation of hard work, self discipline, genuine human personal connections and a life-long desire for knowledge and information. 

On May 18, 1968, Gene married the love of his life, Joyce Ehlers. Together, they shared their love with seven children from a previous marriage to Ruth (Block) Ackerman. Gene and Joyce added to the family a son, Troy Ackerman. 

Gene Ackerman was a loving father to each and every one of his children. He was a role model who’s lifestyle demonstrated personal responsibility and attending to the needs of his family.  Gene was present for each of his children in times of joy, sorrow, celebration of achievement, and most of all in times of need. He had the ability of making each of his children feel loved, supported and cared for throughout their lives. 

Gene Ackerman was preceded in death by Mitchell and Carrie Ackerman (parents), Curtis Ackerman (brother), Lois Ackerman (sister-in-law), Milton Eugene Ackerman (son), James Leon Ackerman(son), and Sarah Nicole Drenth (step-granddaughter).

Gene Ackerman is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Ackerman, Troy (son) and Charlene Ackerman and their daughters, Madeline and Nora of Spirit Lake, Iowa; David (son) and  Lorraine Ackerman of Canton, South Dakota and their son Jeremy; Daniel (son) and Marlene Ackerman of Sac City, Iowa and their daughter, Morgan and son, Quentin and his wife, Emma, and foster son, Ricky Myers and his significant other Ashley and their son, Avanzo;  Michelle (daughter) and Del Drenth of Woodbine, Iowa, and their sons, Nicholas and wife, Mallory, and their daughter, Diana, Dakota and wife, Ali, and son, Drake, Dallas and his partner, Tess Hofmeister; Jan (daughter) Simonsen and her partner, James Johnson, of Mason City, Iowa and her daughters, Jayleen Kehm and husband, Chris and their daughter, Jacilyn and her partner Cody and Justine Ackerman Flaherty and her husband, Nathan; and Jerald (son) Ackerman and his partner, Robin Moshier of Jamestown, Ohio;  and the children of deceased son James:  Joshua Ackerman; Carrie Ackerman and son, Kenton; Jerimiah Ackerman and partner, Jenny, and their daughter, Sophie, and son, JJ.