Barbara Jane Ackerman passed away peacefully surrounded by family February 24, 2018. Barbara was born in Grandville, MI, on March 9, 1935 to John and Freda Imanse, the first of four children. When Barb's father started a business delivering home heating oil in 1945, the family relocated to Vicksburg.
Barb married her childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Charles), on October 7, 1952. They were close friends before they married. As they fell in love and their love grew, so did their friendship. Married for 65 years, and together for more, they shared a love of family and of sports, as spectators, but even more as participants.
Barb and Chuck raised four sons who survive, Greg (Vicki), Rod (Sandy), Brian (Joyce), and Dave (Liz). They have ten grandchildren, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matt (Asmita) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman, Amy (Doug) Collins, Adam (Kristen) Ackerman, Anna (Andy) Rosko, Allison (Josh White, fiance') Ackerman, Audrey (Wesley) Cimmarrusti, Carley Ackerman and Cameron Ackerman. The family continues to grow with seven great grandchildren and one soon to join them in March.
In lieu of the traditional life story, the family has chosen to share a tribute written by Barb's granddaughter, Amy:
“My grandma went to heaven today. While she's been dealing with pain for years, she's truly the toughest woman I know. She beat cancer in her 40s, raised four boys, supported my Grandpa as a small business owner, owned her own beauty salon, was an absolutely incredible athlete, a fantastic cook and is the person I inherited all my design/decorating personality from. She fought through a heart condition for the past six years and, over the last year particularly, was slowly losing the battle with Alzheimer's.
There is a weird peace to her passing. She was such a perfectly poised and in control woman. To see her lose that was hard. My last conversation with her was on FaceTime and I'm so glad it is my last memory. She was lucid enough to remember me, cracking jokes while Grandpa kissed her on her forehead.
Please remember my family in your prayers, especially my grandpa. My grandparents have been together since childhood, marrying in high school. I cannot think of a stronger marriage. They grew together through the years, doing hobbies together, playing golf, tennis and their beloved pickle ball. They wintered in Florida where their calendar had too little space to keep track of all their activities. It was amazing to watch the two of them. They set a high standard I can only hope and pray to achieve on my own pathway of marriage.
We love you Grandma. I so wish you could have met your great granddaughter. You would have loved each other. I can't wait to see you again!”
Barb is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and David Sargeant of Australia. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Charles, John (Sally) Ackerman, Denise (Doug) Parker, Bonnie (Tom ) Ivens, DeWayne Bowen, Pat Imanse, Ron Boelman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Imanse, sister June Boelman, brothers-in-law Walt Ackerman and Gus Charles and sisters-in-law Culia Ackerman and Mary Bowen.
Along with her parents, Barb and Chuck were founding members of Lakeland Reformed Church where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow. Memorial donations can be made to the church and to the National Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to offer their gratitude to Kathy Cowgill of Living Water Adult Foster Care Home for the extraordinary care she provided for Barb during the last two weeks of her life. We would also like to thank Doctor Wright and the nurses who helped the family navigate the last hours of Barb's life with grace and compassion.
McCowen & Secord Life Story Funeral Homes
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Barb married her childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Charles), on October 7, 1952. They were close friends before they married. As they fell in love and their love grew, so did their friendship. Married for 65 years, and together for more, they shared a love of family and of sports, as spectators, but even more as participants.
Barb and Chuck raised four sons who survive, Greg (Vicki), Rod (Sandy), Brian (Joyce), and Dave (Liz). They have ten grandchildren, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matt (Asmita) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman, Amy (Doug) Collins, Adam (Kristen) Ackerman, Anna (Andy) Rosko, Allison (Josh White, fiance') Ackerman, Audrey (Wesley) Cimmarrusti, Carley Ackerman and Cameron Ackerman. The family continues to grow with seven great grandchildren and one soon to join them in March.
In lieu of the traditional life story, the family has chosen to share a tribute written by Barb's granddaughter, Amy:
“My grandma went to heaven today. While she's been dealing with pain for years, she's truly the toughest woman I know. She beat cancer in her 40s, raised four boys, supported my Grandpa as a small business owner, owned her own beauty salon, was an absolutely incredible athlete, a fantastic cook and is the person I inherited all my design/decorating personality from. She fought through a heart condition for the past six years and, over the last year particularly, was slowly losing the battle with Alzheimer's.
There is a weird peace to her passing. She was such a perfectly poised and in control woman. To see her lose that was hard. My last conversation with her was on FaceTime and I'm so glad it is my last memory. She was lucid enough to remember me, cracking jokes while Grandpa kissed her on her forehead.
Please remember my family in your prayers, especially my grandpa. My grandparents have been together since childhood, marrying in high school. I cannot think of a stronger marriage. They grew together through the years, doing hobbies together, playing golf, tennis and their beloved pickle ball. They wintered in Florida where their calendar had too little space to keep track of all their activities. It was amazing to watch the two of them. They set a high standard I can only hope and pray to achieve on my own pathway of marriage.
We love you Grandma. I so wish you could have met your great granddaughter. You would have loved each other. I can't wait to see you again!”
Barb is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and David Sargeant of Australia. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Charles, John (Sally) Ackerman, Denise (Doug) Parker, Bonnie (Tom ) Ivens, DeWayne Bowen, Pat Imanse, Ron Boelman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Imanse, sister June Boelman, brothers-in-law Walt Ackerman and Gus Charles and sisters-in-law Culia Ackerman and Mary Bowen.
Along with her parents, Barb and Chuck were founding members of Lakeland Reformed Church where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow. Memorial donations can be made to the church and to the National Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to offer their gratitude to Kathy Cowgill of Living Water Adult Foster Care Home for the extraordinary care she provided for Barb during the last two weeks of her life. We would also like to thank Doctor Wright and the nurses who helped the family navigate the last hours of Barb's life with grace and compassion.
McCowen & Secord Life Story Funeral Homes
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Barbara Jane Ackerman passed away peacefully surrounded by family February 24, 2018. Barbara was born in Grandville, MI, on March 9, 1935 to John and Freda Imanse, the first of four children. When Barb's father started a business delivering home heating oil in 1945, the family relocated to Vicksburg.
Barb married her childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Charles), on October 7, 1952. They were close friends before they married. As they fell in love and their love grew, so did their friendship. Married for 65 years, and together for more, they shared a love of family and of sports, as spectators, but even more as participants.
Barb and Chuck raised four sons who survive, Greg (Vicki), Rod (Sandy), Brian (Joyce), and Dave (Liz). They have ten grandchildren, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matt (Asmita) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman, Amy (Doug) Collins, Adam (Kristen) Ackerman, Anna (Andy) Rosko, Allison (Josh White, fiance') Ackerman, Audrey (Wesley) Cimmarrusti, Carley Ackerman and Cameron Ackerman. The family continues to grow with seven great grandchildren and one soon to join them in March.
In lieu of the traditional life story, the family has chosen to share a tribute written by Barb's granddaughter, Amy:
“My grandma went to heaven today. While she's been dealing with pain for years, she's truly the toughest woman I know. She beat cancer in her 40s, raised four boys, supported my Grandpa as a small business owner, owned her own beauty salon, was an absolutely incredible athlete, a fantastic cook and is the person I inherited all my design/decorating personality from. She fought through a heart condition for the past six years and, over the last year particularly, was slowly losing the battle with Alzheimer's.
There is a weird peace to her passing. She was such a perfectly poised and in control woman. To see her lose that was hard. My last conversation with her was on FaceTime and I'm so glad it is my last memory. She was lucid enough to remember me, cracking jokes while Grandpa kissed her on her forehead.
Please remember my family in your prayers, especially my grandpa. My grandparents have been together since childhood, marrying in high school. I cannot think of a stronger marriage. They grew together through the years, doing hobbies together, playing golf, tennis and their beloved pickle ball. They wintered in Florida where their calendar had too little space to keep track of all their activities. It was amazing to watch the two of them. They set a high standard I can only hope and pray to achieve on my own pathway of marriage.
We love you Grandma. I so wish you could have met your great granddaughter. You would have loved each other. I can't wait to see you again!”
Barb is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and David Sargeant of Australia. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Charles, John (Sally) Ackerman, Denise (Doug) Parker, Bonnie (Tom ) Ivens, DeWayne Bowen, Pat Imanse, Ron Boelman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Imanse, sister June Boelman, brothers-in-law Walt Ackerman and Gus Charles and sisters-in-law Culia Ackerman and Mary Bowen.
Along with her parents, Barb and Chuck were founding members of Lakeland Reformed Church where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow. Memorial donations can be made to the church and to the National Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to offer their gratitude to Kathy Cowgill of Living Water Adult Foster Care Home for the extraordinary care she provided for Barb during the last two weeks of her life. We would also like to thank Doctor Wright and the nurses who helped the family navigate the last hours of Barb's life with grace and compassion.
McCowen & Secord Life Story Funeral Homes
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Barb married her childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Charles), on October 7, 1952. They were close friends before they married. As they fell in love and their love grew, so did their friendship. Married for 65 years, and together for more, they shared a love of family and of sports, as spectators, but even more as participants.
Barb and Chuck raised four sons who survive, Greg (Vicki), Rod (Sandy), Brian (Joyce), and Dave (Liz). They have ten grandchildren, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matt (Asmita) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman, Amy (Doug) Collins, Adam (Kristen) Ackerman, Anna (Andy) Rosko, Allison (Josh White, fiance') Ackerman, Audrey (Wesley) Cimmarrusti, Carley Ackerman and Cameron Ackerman. The family continues to grow with seven great grandchildren and one soon to join them in March.
In lieu of the traditional life story, the family has chosen to share a tribute written by Barb's granddaughter, Amy:
“My grandma went to heaven today. While she's been dealing with pain for years, she's truly the toughest woman I know. She beat cancer in her 40s, raised four boys, supported my Grandpa as a small business owner, owned her own beauty salon, was an absolutely incredible athlete, a fantastic cook and is the person I inherited all my design/decorating personality from. She fought through a heart condition for the past six years and, over the last year particularly, was slowly losing the battle with Alzheimer's.
There is a weird peace to her passing. She was such a perfectly poised and in control woman. To see her lose that was hard. My last conversation with her was on FaceTime and I'm so glad it is my last memory. She was lucid enough to remember me, cracking jokes while Grandpa kissed her on her forehead.
Please remember my family in your prayers, especially my grandpa. My grandparents have been together since childhood, marrying in high school. I cannot think of a stronger marriage. They grew together through the years, doing hobbies together, playing golf, tennis and their beloved pickle ball. They wintered in Florida where their calendar had too little space to keep track of all their activities. It was amazing to watch the two of them. They set a high standard I can only hope and pray to achieve on my own pathway of marriage.
We love you Grandma. I so wish you could have met your great granddaughter. You would have loved each other. I can't wait to see you again!”
Barb is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and David Sargeant of Australia. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Charles, John (Sally) Ackerman, Denise (Doug) Parker, Bonnie (Tom ) Ivens, DeWayne Bowen, Pat Imanse, Ron Boelman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Imanse, sister June Boelman, brothers-in-law Walt Ackerman and Gus Charles and sisters-in-law Culia Ackerman and Mary Bowen.
Along with her parents, Barb and Chuck were founding members of Lakeland Reformed Church where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow. Memorial donations can be made to the church and to the National Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to offer their gratitude to Kathy Cowgill of Living Water Adult Foster Care Home for the extraordinary care she provided for Barb during the last two weeks of her life. We would also like to thank Doctor Wright and the nurses who helped the family navigate the last hours of Barb's life with grace and compassion.
McCowen & Secord Life Story Funeral Homes
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
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