Marie Akkerman, 91, of Wellsburg, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley, Iowa. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Faith Presbyterian Church, rural Ackley, Iowa, with Pastor Allen McClure officiating. Burial will follow at East Friesland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural Ackley, Iowa. Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2008, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., where the family will be present to greet friends, at Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established.
Marie was born April 15, 1916, the daughter of Will and Gretta (Knock) Smit, on a farm south of Holland, Iowa. As a young girl she and her family moved to Holland, Iowa, where her father owned and operated the hardware store. They later sold the business and moved to their family farm northeast of Holland. She attended country school at Colfax #6. Marie graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1934 where she received her normal training certificate in teaching and returned to Colfax #6 as the teacher. On November 30, 1939, she was united in marriage to Henry (Heinie) Akkerman at her parent's home on the family farm. Marie and Heinie moved to the farm north of Wellsburg and continued to farm until Heinie became ill and retired from farming. They continued to live on the farm, and started a furniture refinishing business, and began selling antiques. They enjoyed going to auctions and flea markets and made many friends through the business. In 1980 they built a new home and moved to Wellsburg. Heinie passed away in 1997 and Marie continued to live in their home until 2002 when she moved to Arlington Place in Grundy Center, Iowa. In August of 2006 she moved to the Presbyterian Village in Ackley, Iowa. Marie was a charter member of Faith Presbyterian Church and an honorary member of WIC. Marie loved music and was known for her beautiful voice. When a soloist was needed for a funeral or a wedding, Marie was always asked to participate. Marie loved to entertain people and was known for her great meals and gracious hospitality. Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She took great pride in their accomplishments and enjoyed their time together especially around the Sunday dinner table. The arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her much joy.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Heinie; an infant son Dennis Ray Akkerman; one sister Lois Peters; and a great-grandson Treye Allen Blythe.
She is survived by her son Larry Akkerman and his wife Kathie of Wellsburg, Iowa; her daughter Joyce Blythe and her husband Wayne of Wellsburg, Iowa; three grandchildren-Dustin Blythe and his wife Cheryl of Urbandale, Iowa; Vaughn Blythe and his wife Amy of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Melissa Akkerman of Maryville, Tennessee; one step-grandson Tim Diamond and his wife Robbyn of Wellsburg, Iowa; three great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; and one step-great-granddaughter.