Margaret Ackerman Obituary

Margaret Ackerman


		Margaret M. Ackerman (Nee Barry), 92, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2009, at her home in Eau Claire. Beloved wife of the late Edward A. Ackerman, Margaret was born on January 14, 1917, in Wilton, Wisconsin, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Ella Barry. Margaret grew up on her family farm and loved to tell stories from those years. After graduating from high school, she moved to Madison to attend business college. Upon graduation, she was employed as a physician's secretary at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. During this time in Madison she met Edward. Due to an illness, a friend asked Edward to accompany Margaret to a dance. The rest is history.


On February 16, 1944, the couple married at St. Mary's Church on St. Mary's Ridge. Following Edward's Air Force service as a B-29 Commander, they moved to Eau Claire in early 1946. During the next 63 years, Margaret's family of 10 children, 18 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren kept her very busy. She had an extremely loving heart and was readily available to help out anyone who asked. Margaret was an exceptional cook and baker. Her homemade bread, dill pickles and chocolate cake will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved her. In her free time, she had a passion for playing bridge, gardening, and spending time talking with friends. Margaret's faith was a very important part of her life. She served on many church committees and was a past-president of the Immaculata Ladies Society at Immaculate Conception Church. She volunteered at Sacred Heart Hospital and Birthright for many years. Loving mother of Diane (Lee) Esler, Waukesha; Thomas, Wausau; Elizabeth (Tom) Gillett, Susan (Ken) McMiller, Patrick, Eau Claire; Ann (Don) Gillett, Marshfield; Mark (Bridget), Bloomer; and, Pegge, Eau Claire. Beloved by daughters-in-law Sonja Ackerman and Deborah Ackerman and son-in-law Phil Halverson. She is survived by her brother Gerald (Rita) Barry, Sparta, Wisconsin and her sister-in-law Beverly Barry, Altoona. Margaret will be missed by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edward, and two children Michael Ackerman and MariAnne Halverson; her brother Linus Barry and sister Elizabeth (Gordon) Anderson. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home and an hour before services Friday morning at church. A public rosary, Margaret's favorite prayer, will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 12, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Eugene Klink officiating. Interment will be in the Chapel of the Resurrection Mausoleum. Memorials can be made to Immaculate Conception Church or the Healing Place of Eau Claire. Margaret's warm smile, generous spirit and unconditional love for family and friends will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her dearly. Friends may offer condolences online at fullerspeckien.com Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.