Larry Lynn Ackerman
October 6, 1942 - September 3, 2012
Larry Lynn Ackerman, Jonesville, Mich., 69, passed away on September 3, 2012, at University of Michgan Hospital surrounded by family, after a battle with leukemia.
He was born on October 6, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to the late Edwin and Elinor (Lehman) Ackerman. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1969. He married the love of his life, Kathie Ann Thomas, on October 13, 1962.
Ackerman grew up on the family farm and was involved in agriculture his entire life. He was a Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) technician for four years beginning in 1962 and then the dairy herdsman for Thorland Farm in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He moved the family to Jonesville, Mich., in 1970, when he became herdsman for Brownson Farms.
In 1975, he formed a partnership with Alvin Wells to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich. He eventually bought out the partnership to become sole proprietor of the dairy herd and bred cattle using the Namrekca prefix. The herd was known for production-bred genetics and was the high-producing herd for Hillsdale County for nearly 20 years and the first to surpass the 20,000 lbs. milk rolling herd average. to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich.
Larry then became a DHIA technician with North Star Cooperative and worked together with Kathie testing herds in southern Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana. He was employed by the organization for 14 years and specialized in serving mega dairies. The couple received the Technician of the Year award in 1998.
Ackerman was a member of the county, district and state Holstein associations, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative and the local Farm Bureau, serving on boards of each organization. He and Kathie received the Distinguished Service Award from Hillsdale County DHIA in 2008 in recognition of their community service.
In retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, transporting clients for medical appointments. He also worked closely with Kathie in caring for gardens at the senior center, Jonesville Methodist Church and their church.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served as a treasurer and usher, and enjoyed his participation in Bible classes. He was a leader with the Stephen's Ministry program and was instrumental in getting the church's program established. He also was a member of the Hillsdale Camp of The Gideons International.
Larry was an avid collector of sports cards and memorabilia as well as model tractors. He was known for his easy-going spirit, love of family and passion for agriculture, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Kathie, he is survived by daughters, Michele Ackerman of Columbus, Ohio, Kimberly (Alan) Berndtson of Horicon, Wis., Kerry (Craig) Tucker of Hopkins, Mich.; grandchildren, Jodi Berndtson and Katrina, Caleb and Colby Tucker; sister, Mary (Warren) Langstraat of Afton, Minn; mother-in-law, Doris Petrich of Marshall, Minn.; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services for Larry Ackerman will be held Friday September 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale with Pastor Dan Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund for Stephen's Ministry, 2551 West Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
October 6, 1942 - September 3, 2012
Larry Lynn Ackerman, Jonesville, Mich., 69, passed away on September 3, 2012, at University of Michgan Hospital surrounded by family, after a battle with leukemia.
He was born on October 6, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to the late Edwin and Elinor (Lehman) Ackerman. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1969. He married the love of his life, Kathie Ann Thomas, on October 13, 1962.
Ackerman grew up on the family farm and was involved in agriculture his entire life. He was a Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) technician for four years beginning in 1962 and then the dairy herdsman for Thorland Farm in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He moved the family to Jonesville, Mich., in 1970, when he became herdsman for Brownson Farms.
In 1975, he formed a partnership with Alvin Wells to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich. He eventually bought out the partnership to become sole proprietor of the dairy herd and bred cattle using the Namrekca prefix. The herd was known for production-bred genetics and was the high-producing herd for Hillsdale County for nearly 20 years and the first to surpass the 20,000 lbs. milk rolling herd average. to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich.
Larry then became a DHIA technician with North Star Cooperative and worked together with Kathie testing herds in southern Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana. He was employed by the organization for 14 years and specialized in serving mega dairies. The couple received the Technician of the Year award in 1998.
Ackerman was a member of the county, district and state Holstein associations, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative and the local Farm Bureau, serving on boards of each organization. He and Kathie received the Distinguished Service Award from Hillsdale County DHIA in 2008 in recognition of their community service.
In retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, transporting clients for medical appointments. He also worked closely with Kathie in caring for gardens at the senior center, Jonesville Methodist Church and their church.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served as a treasurer and usher, and enjoyed his participation in Bible classes. He was a leader with the Stephen's Ministry program and was instrumental in getting the church's program established. He also was a member of the Hillsdale Camp of The Gideons International.
Larry was an avid collector of sports cards and memorabilia as well as model tractors. He was known for his easy-going spirit, love of family and passion for agriculture, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Kathie, he is survived by daughters, Michele Ackerman of Columbus, Ohio, Kimberly (Alan) Berndtson of Horicon, Wis., Kerry (Craig) Tucker of Hopkins, Mich.; grandchildren, Jodi Berndtson and Katrina, Caleb and Colby Tucker; sister, Mary (Warren) Langstraat of Afton, Minn; mother-in-law, Doris Petrich of Marshall, Minn.; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services for Larry Ackerman will be held Friday September 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale with Pastor Dan Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund for Stephen's Ministry, 2551 West Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
Larry Lynn Ackerman
October 6, 1942 - September 3, 2012
Larry Lynn Ackerman, Jonesville, Mich., 69, passed away on September 3, 2012, at University of Michgan Hospital surrounded by family, after a battle with leukemia.
He was born on October 6, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to the late Edwin and Elinor (Lehman) Ackerman. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1969. He married the love of his life, Kathie Ann Thomas, on October 13, 1962.
Ackerman grew up on the family farm and was involved in agriculture his entire life. He was a Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) technician for four years beginning in 1962 and then the dairy herdsman for Thorland Farm in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He moved the family to Jonesville, Mich., in 1970, when he became herdsman for Brownson Farms.
In 1975, he formed a partnership with Alvin Wells to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich. He eventually bought out the partnership to become sole proprietor of the dairy herd and bred cattle using the Namrekca prefix. The herd was known for production-bred genetics and was the high-producing herd for Hillsdale County for nearly 20 years and the first to surpass the 20,000 lbs. milk rolling herd average. to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich.
Larry then became a DHIA technician with North Star Cooperative and worked together with Kathie testing herds in southern Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana. He was employed by the organization for 14 years and specialized in serving mega dairies. The couple received the Technician of the Year award in 1998.
Ackerman was a member of the county, district and state Holstein associations, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative and the local Farm Bureau, serving on boards of each organization. He and Kathie received the Distinguished Service Award from Hillsdale County DHIA in 2008 in recognition of their community service.
In retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, transporting clients for medical appointments. He also worked closely with Kathie in caring for gardens at the senior center, Jonesville Methodist Church and their church.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served as a treasurer and usher, and enjoyed his participation in Bible classes. He was a leader with the Stephen's Ministry program and was instrumental in getting the church's program established. He also was a member of the Hillsdale Camp of The Gideons International.
Larry was an avid collector of sports cards and memorabilia as well as model tractors. He was known for his easy-going spirit, love of family and passion for agriculture, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Kathie, he is survived by daughters, Michele Ackerman of Columbus, Ohio, Kimberly (Alan) Berndtson of Horicon, Wis., Kerry (Craig) Tucker of Hopkins, Mich.; grandchildren, Jodi Berndtson and Katrina, Caleb and Colby Tucker; sister, Mary (Warren) Langstraat of Afton, Minn; mother-in-law, Doris Petrich of Marshall, Minn.; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services for Larry Ackerman will be held Friday September 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale with Pastor Dan Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund for Stephen's Ministry, 2551 West Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
October 6, 1942 - September 3, 2012
Larry Lynn Ackerman, Jonesville, Mich., 69, passed away on September 3, 2012, at University of Michgan Hospital surrounded by family, after a battle with leukemia.
He was born on October 6, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to the late Edwin and Elinor (Lehman) Ackerman. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1969. He married the love of his life, Kathie Ann Thomas, on October 13, 1962.
Ackerman grew up on the family farm and was involved in agriculture his entire life. He was a Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) technician for four years beginning in 1962 and then the dairy herdsman for Thorland Farm in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He moved the family to Jonesville, Mich., in 1970, when he became herdsman for Brownson Farms.
In 1975, he formed a partnership with Alvin Wells to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich. He eventually bought out the partnership to become sole proprietor of the dairy herd and bred cattle using the Namrekca prefix. The herd was known for production-bred genetics and was the high-producing herd for Hillsdale County for nearly 20 years and the first to surpass the 20,000 lbs. milk rolling herd average. to operate Knolltop Farms, a registered Holstein herd, in North Adams, Mich.
Larry then became a DHIA technician with North Star Cooperative and worked together with Kathie testing herds in southern Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana. He was employed by the organization for 14 years and specialized in serving mega dairies. The couple received the Technician of the Year award in 1998.
Ackerman was a member of the county, district and state Holstein associations, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative and the local Farm Bureau, serving on boards of each organization. He and Kathie received the Distinguished Service Award from Hillsdale County DHIA in 2008 in recognition of their community service.
In retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, transporting clients for medical appointments. He also worked closely with Kathie in caring for gardens at the senior center, Jonesville Methodist Church and their church.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served as a treasurer and usher, and enjoyed his participation in Bible classes. He was a leader with the Stephen's Ministry program and was instrumental in getting the church's program established. He also was a member of the Hillsdale Camp of The Gideons International.
Larry was an avid collector of sports cards and memorabilia as well as model tractors. He was known for his easy-going spirit, love of family and passion for agriculture, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Kathie, he is survived by daughters, Michele Ackerman of Columbus, Ohio, Kimberly (Alan) Berndtson of Horicon, Wis., Kerry (Craig) Tucker of Hopkins, Mich.; grandchildren, Jodi Berndtson and Katrina, Caleb and Colby Tucker; sister, Mary (Warren) Langstraat of Afton, Minn; mother-in-law, Doris Petrich of Marshall, Minn.; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services for Larry Ackerman will be held Friday September 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale with Pastor Dan Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund for Stephen's Ministry, 2551 West Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
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