Obituary of Merna Akeson

Merna Lorraine Akeson, age 91, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sheldon, IA. She was born the daughter of Henry and Grace (Kolste) Kuiper on April 24, 1923, on a farm near Hospers, IA. and attended the Carol #9 country school. At the age of 19, Merna and two neighbor girls were recruited by a representative of the World War II defense plants to work in an aircraft factory. She received training for riviting, and worked for the Cessna Aircraft Plant in Wichita, KS. Following the war, Merna returned home and found employment at the Big Four Cooperative in Sheldon, IA. In 1951, she married Carl Akeson, Jr. and together they farmed near Archer, IA. Merna took instruction and completed the Nurse's Aide Certification in 1967 and worked at hospitals and nursing homes in both Sheldon and Primghar, IA until her retirement in 1985 when she and Carl moved into the town of Archer. Throughout her life, Merna served as a 4-H Leader, was active in the Archer United Methodist Church, and was president of the Primghar Legion Auxiliary. She always enjoyed sewing or having a good visit with her life-long friends and relatives. She is survived by two daughters; Rhonda (Duane Lom) of LaCrosse, WI, and Yvonne (Vince) Heuer of Waterloo, IA, and their children: Charles, Ellen and Ann Heuer; one son, Craig (Deanna) Akeson of Archer, IA, and their children: Cole and Melissa Akeson; one brother, Leo Kuiper; and one sister, Mary Swanson. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carl, on December 20, 2013. ~ In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Merna's memory to the Archer United Methodist Church or the O'Brien County 4-H Foundation. ~ Celebration of Life Merna L. Akeson Born ~ April 24, 1923 ~ Hospers, Iowa Died ~ August 17, 2014 ~ Sheldon, Iowa Age ~ 91 years 3 months 23 days Funeral Service 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2014 United Methodist Church Archer, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Cory Allard Organist ~ Pam Kobbe Special Music Stan Wilkens "Hymn of Promise" "Going Home" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" Recessional ~ "How Great Thou Art" Pallbearers Duane Lom Vince Heuer Charles Heuer Cole Akeson Melissa Akeson Ellen Heuer Ann Heuer Ushers Bill Engeltjes ~ Dudley McDowell Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery Primghar, Iowa