George, IA
Richard Akkerman age 90, of George, IA died Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA.
Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, August 17th at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA, with full military honor by Jack Sauter Post No. 404 American Legion of George, IA.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 16th with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of George.
Richard Warren Akkerman was born December 3, 1927, in Emery, SD to Jacob and Gertrude (Jansenn) Akkerman. He and his siblings, Ollie, Ann, Clara lived on a farm in Emery until the family moved to a farm near Rock Rapids, IA, where he attended country school. Later the family moved to a farm west of George.
Richard married Mary Ilene Boom on September 1, 1950, in George at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. This union was blessed with one daughter, Karen Fae. Richard faithfully served his country in US Army during the Korean Conflict. While stationed in Japan, he served as the chaplain’s assistant and also sang in a gospel mens’ quartet, with whom he remained lifelong friends. After returning from the service he was engaged in farming on the Boom family, which later became a Century Farm. His farming career included raising grain and livestock and operating a dairy herd. After many years he semi-retired but continued to reside on the farm until his death.
He was a devoted member of the EUB/United Methodist Church in George where in sang in the choir, was Sunday School Superintendent, Board member, and trustee throughout the years. Richard was invited to become a part of the men’s quartet with Jay and Floyd Sudenga, Jay Bruns, John Dressman and Orie Johnson. They ministered monthly at the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux City for many years which brought Richard much joy. After the church closed, he worshipped at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Richard had been a member of the Gideon’s International and George American Legion Post. Family was important to Richard and he cherished the time he could spend with his daughter and her family.
Richard’s life will always be loved and honored by his family which would include his daughter and son-in-law: Karen and Jeff Smith of Zionsville, Indiana; his grandchildren: Trisha (Tim) Huset of Verona, Wisconsin and their sons, Tanner and Brayden; Joshua Smith of Franklin, Tennessee and his daughters Averey and Emerson; a sister-in-law Lonnelle Lenderts of Random Lake, Wisconsin; his nieces Carol (Vince) Luitjens, Bonnie Samuelson, Sandy Blau and Barbara(Neal) LaFluer; nephews Dale(Martha) Lenderts, Jay Lenderts, Steve Boom and Carson Boom and other extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by this parents Jacob and Gertrude Akkerman; his wife, Mary, brother: Ollie, sisters: Ann and Clara; nephews: Ron Blau and Wendell Blau; and his brothers-in-law: Merle Lenderts and Donald Boom.
Richard was a man of faith and may the Lord be glorified through his life and memory.