Lawrence Leo Ackerman

Lawrence Leo Ackerman, 89, Bismarck, formerly of Elgin, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 3, 2014, at St. Alexius Medical Center. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. March 8, 2014, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Bismarck, ND. A vigil service will be held Friday, March 7, 2014, at 7 p.m. with visitation at 6 p.m. Lawrence was born June 17, 1924, to Peter and Rose Meyer Ackerman in Kenmare, ND, where he was raised and educated. On September 10, 1943, Lawrence entered the U.S. Army, Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 232nd Infantry 42nd Division. He was stationed in Central Europe where he worked as a motor mechanic. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service and was honorably discharged April 20, 1946. On October 28, 1950, he married the love of his life, Marcella Sally Johnson, and together provided a loving home for 6 children and for 63 years led by example how to live and love. They made their home in Kenmare where he worked as a lineman for MDU from 1947 to 1977. That same year they moved to Elgin where he continued to work for MDU as an appliance repairman and meter reader until his retirement in 1986. Lawrence was a member of the VFW Post 7049, American Legion and Lions Club. He was an active member in his community and St. John's Catholic Church. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, playing cards, cutting trees, helping Sally with her quilts and having a beer after a long day. Lawrence was a quiet man with an extremely big heart. He would help anybody with anything that needed fixing. It may have not always looked pretty, but it did work when he was done even if he had to jerry-rig it. He was always on hand to help one of his kids shingle their house or fix a washing machine, lawn mower, toaster or anything with a cord or motor. In his later years Lawrence always had many happy moments and lots of laughter when Bailey and Bergen came for a weekend visit. He is survived by his wife, Marcella Sally; four sons, Greg Dianna; Steven Jeanette; Dennis Gwyn; and Cletus Darcy; daughter, Karen David Haid Brown; and son-in-law Randy Gleave; 13 grandchildren, Jason Danell Ackerman; Jeremy Heather Ackerman; Jodi Brian Tvedt; Daniel Laura Ackerman; Casey Winter Ackerman; Troy Darcy Gleave; Toby Karoline Gleave; Tanner Joylynn Gleave; Megan Ackerman; Bailey and Bergen Ackerman; Mikaela and Taylor Brown; and 11 great-grandchildren. Three brothers, James Eleanor Ackerman; Leroy Judy Ackerman and Peter Ackerman; three sisters, Marilyn Howard Moerike; Darlene Bartuska and Shirley Clark; brothers-and-sisters in-law, Myrtle Sampson; Vernon Thelen, Earling and Jean Johnson; Mitzi Johnson, Leroy and Edie Johnson; Vernon and Delores Johnson; Phyllis Johnson, Darlene and Fred Nix; Carol and Bob Mulholland; Marlyn "Butch" and Katie Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Sandra Gleave; three brothers, Jerome "Bud," Izzy, Maurice Adeline and Alvin; two sisters, Evelyn Leo Schmitz and Rachel Lloyd Mattern; brothers and sisters in-law, Leo Schmitz, Marvin Kalmbach, Jim Bartuska, Sharon Ackerman, Jim Clark, Cheryl Ackerman, Eleanor Ackerman, Sam Sampson, Myron Joyce Johnson, Arlyss Thelen, Cleo "Bud" Johnson and Ronald Johnson. Lawrence was loved dearly by his family and will be greatly missed.

Lawrence Leo Ackerman

June 17, 1924 - March 3, 2014