James "Jim" Ackerman

James A. “Jim” Ackerman, 84 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Towner County Medical Center, Cando, ND.  Funeral Services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Robert Buechler officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday (today) from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. James “Jim” Arthur Ackerman, son of Arthur and Emma (Peters) Ackerman, was born on April 17, 1933 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. Jim was a life-long resident of Crary and graduated in the class of 1951.  On October 2, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Joy Miller, in the Congregational Church at Crary.  Jim was active in many community organizations. He held various positions on the Crary School Board, Crary Farmers Elevator Board and the Lake Region Co-Op.  He served on the Stevens Township Board and was on the church council at First Lutheran Church in Crary and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake.  He was also a life member of the B.P.O.E. 1216 Devils Lake Elks Lodge.  Jim had a love for family, farming, and fishing. Family was an integral part of his life. He began farming at a young age with his father in rural Crary.  In later years, one could find Jim either driving around in his pickup checking the crops or out on Devils Lake walleye fishing.  Jim is survived by his wife Janet of 62 years; daughters Cindy (Larry) Leet, Yankton, SD, LuAnn (Jim) Stromme, Devils Lake, Shawn (Peter) Abt, Houston, TX and son Neal (Roberta) Ackerman, Devils Lake; twelve grandchildren Emily (Tim) Lange, New Hope, MN, Brittany (Frans) Du Plessis, Devils Lake, Jason (Rachel) Leet, St. Paul, MN, Trent Stromme, Bloomington, MN, Peter K. (Katie) Abt, Houston, TX, James Ackerman, Devils Lake, Mikael (Tracey) Leet, Eagle, NE, Trevor (Cheslyn) Stromme, Devils Lake, Tyson Ackerman, Devils Lake, Stephanie Abt, Houston, TX, Danielle Stromme, Bloomington, MN and Matthew Leet, Madison, WI; ten great grandsons Aiden Ackerman, Zachary, Noah and Elijah Lange, Ian and Jenner Du Plesssis, Joshua and Matthew Leet, Hudson Leet and Brekken Stromme. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Emma, in-laws Mert and Bea Miller and brother-in-law Mike Miller. Casket Bearers for Jim will be his grandsons. Honorary Bearers will be his granddaughters. Memorials may be directed to the Towner County Medical Center, Swing Bed.