George Ackerman

G eorge Louis Ackerman, 83, of Sabetha died Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at the Sabetha Manor in Sabetha, Kansas.

He was born on a farm southwest of Sabetha on February 7th, 1930, the third of six children of Albert George Ackerman and Louise (Bauerle) Ackerman. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1947. George married Wilma Faye Bauman on February 19, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Sabetha. He was preceded in death by his parents and son Roger Ackerman. Survivors include his wife, Wilma of the home; daughter, Cheryl (David) Weaver, Easton, Missouri; son, Galen (Linda) Ackerman, Sabetha; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Twila (Eldon) Johnson, Anna Gehrt, Julia (Joe) Jackson and Wilma (Darryl) Thompson; brother, Robert (Alma) Ackerman.

George and Wilma lived on a farm northwest of Sabetha with their children, Cheryl, Galen and Roger, where they farmed and raised Charolais cattle. They were and are actively involved in NorthRidge Church, where they worship together with other believers in Jesus Christ. George served as a Deacon, as well as many years on the Board of Trustees. Their church family has always been very dear to them. When their youngest son, Roger, was killed in a farm accident in 1978, the church body surrounded them with Christ’s love. In more recent years, they were blessed to be part of a wonderful weekly Small Group. In 2012, advancing Parkinson’s disease required George’s change of address to the Sabetha Manor, and those dear friends took that same precious fellowship directly to George by meeting together in his room each week for as long as he was able.

In 1956, George attended the Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. For the next 50 years, he and Wilma conducted auctions of farm machinery, livestock, household goods, antiques and coins. George enjoyed donating his auctioneering services for a variety of charitable causes. From childhood, both were involved in, and eventually became partners in the Bauman family business, the Sabetha Livestock Auction, where they enjoyed decades of working with the good people of northeast Kansas and southeast Nebraska.

George & Wilma loved to travel, and they visited Europe, as well as nearly every state in the U.S. Perhaps their favorite travel opportunity, though, was to their grandkids’ softball games and horse shows!  He was a charter member of the Busy Jayhawker’s 4-H Club and served as project leader for many years. George was an active Farm Bureau member and in 1966 was named Leader of the Year by that organization. He was very active in the Kansas Livestock Association. During Wilma’s years of involvement with the American National CattleWomen’s association, George accompanied her in her travels and made friends all across the country.

George loved people and could visit with anyone about anything at any time. In conversation, he was always ready with one of his classic “one liners” into which he could weave irony, humor and love with a minimal number of words! His family, friends and those who cared for him in the final years of his life loved to tease him a bit, just to see that sparkly little response, often accompanied by a quick wink. George almost never asked for anything, but a few days before his death, he did say that he would really like to go “home” for Christmas. An earthly element of that wish came true when the family gathered with him at his and Wilma’s farm home for an early family Christmas. The eternal element of that same wish was completed when he slipped away to join his Heavenly Father, surrounded by family.

Funeral service will be Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha.  Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the church.  Interment will be in the Sabetha Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to the NorthRidge Church Building Fund or the Sabetha Manor Special Fund, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, KS 66534.