Abram "Bud" Ackerman

ABRAM 'BUD' ALBERT ACKERMAN was born on January 11, 1927 to Peter and Jenny (Vandenberg) Ackerman on the family farm near Hills, Minnesota. The following month, his family moved to a farm outside Hills, Minnesota. In 1947 the Ackerman family established their homestead on a farm near Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Bud attended Beaver Creek Country School through the eighth grade. He helped on his parent’s farm until he was drafted into the US Army in 1946. He served his country during World War II where he was stationed in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge in 1947, he returned home to Beaver Creek and to the love of his life, Mary Ann Kosters. The couple was united in marriage on May 14, 1947 at the parsonage in the Christian Reformed Church in Hills. Bud and Mary Ann made their home on the family farm where they raised their daughter, Henrietta. Bud farmed his entire life. Even after his retirement in 1991, he continued to help with fall tillage. On November 11, 2014, the couple moved into the Viste Manor Apartments in Hills. A short time later, Bud transitioned to the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne, Minnesota where he died peacefully with his wife at his side on November 29, 2014 at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 18 days.

Bud was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Hills, Minnesota. He was baptized in 1927 and made his profession of faith in 1945. He served as a deacon in his church and was a member of the Seniors Bible Study Group. He was a member the Charles R. Dorman American Legion Post 131 in Valley Springs, South Dakota where he was a past Post Commander. He enjoyed fishing and baseball and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. He liked to read, especially a Western novel. His hobbies also included beekeeping and gardening. He had an orchard of apples, grapes and plums. Bud was one of the lucky people who made a living out of doing what he loved. He had a passion for farming and was a good steward to the land.

Bud is lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ann Ackerman of Hills; two grandchildren, Mary (Miles) Brown of Luverne, and their children Brenna, Zoe, Thomas, Zachary, and Liam, and Katie (Seth) Richter and their daughter, Stella of San Diego, California; and a sister, Jeanette Wallenberg of Bellflower, CA. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Henrietta Jackson; a grandson, Stuart Jackson; a sister, Anna (Cornie) Bouma; and his brothers, William (Jo) Ackerman, Henry (Gertrude) Ackerman, and Barney (Marge) Ackerman.