Raymond "Ray" Gerald Akkerman

Ray Akkerman's Link for Recording of Service

Harris, IA 

     Raymond “Ray” Akkerman age 91 of Spirit Lake, IA, formerly of Harris, IA passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the Lake Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake, IA.

     A private service for family will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Harris, with Pastor Emmanuel Naweji officiating. Service will be Live Steamed, and a link will be on the funeral home website at the top of Ray’s obituary.

     Burial will be in the Union Cemetery of Harris, IA.

     A public visitation will be Saturday, January 2^nd from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Harris. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and family will not be present.

     Raymond Gerald Akkerman was born on December 21, 1929 in Allendorf, IA, son of Andrew and Tillie (Steen) Akkerman. He was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley. Ray attended and later graduated from Harris High School in 1948.

     Ray started farming in 1949 and was in partnership with Bob Stahly for many years.

     On February 12, 1950 he was united in marriage to Hazel Wills. To this union two daughters were born, Linda and Connie. After their divorce he married Alberta “Birdie” Corrington on May 30, 1974 and her two sons were added to his family. Birdie passed away on November 7, 1997 and Ray later married Lyla Schwarzenbach on July 18, 1998 and three more children were added to his family.

     Ray worked for Iowa A.S.C.S. office as compliance supervisor and field assistant for a time, then for the local F.S.A. office as field assistant and from 1994 to 2014 for Federal Crop Insurance.

     Ray was a member of the United Methodist Church in Harris, where he held many positions.

     Other memberships included serving on the Osceola Conservation Board for 30 years.

     In October of 1966, he was awarded a “Life Saving Certificate” from the state of Iowa for pulling four women from a burning car.

     He was an avid farmer and enjoyed playing golf and bowling. He will be greatly missed.

     Left to cherish his memory is his wife of twenty-two years, Lyla Akkerman of Harris, IA; two daughters, Linda (Gary) Kleve Ocheyedan, IA and Connie (Dan) Stahly of Lake Park, IA; four stepchildren, Larry Corrington of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Steve (Bonnie) Corrington of Silver City, NM, Vicky Scheel of San Antonio, TX and Ray Schwarzenbach of Boise, ID; stepdaughter-in-law, Jo Schwarzenbach of Ames, IA; five grandchildren, Mindy (Terry) Eggers, Chad Kleve, Jeremy (Bobbi Jo) Kleve, Melissa (Shon) Gembler and Melanie (Jason) Van Gelder; five step grandchildren, Rob (Tracy) Schwarzenbach, Sherry (Travis) Hosteng, Rebecca (Ken) Ortensie, Rachelle (Jason) Arechiga and Sheila Schwarzenbach; eleven great grandchildren, fifteen step great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and many other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Tillie (Steen) Akkerman; second wife, Alberta “Birdie” Akkerman; stepson, Terry Schwarzenbach; and step grandson, Aaron Scheel.