Dean Ackerman

Hastings resident, A. Dean Ackerman, 74, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at his home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.



Dean was born May 10, 1942, in Scottsbluff, NE to Karl and Elenora (Griess) Ackerman. Dean graduated from Phillips High School in 1960 and Nebraska Vocational Technical School, Milford, NE, in 1963 in Auto Mechanics Technology.



Dean joined the Hastings Army National Guard 134th Infantry in November 1963 and was honorably discharged in November 1969. He married Darlene (Gartner) on May 24, 1964, at Trinity Methodist Church in Grand Island, NE. They had two daughters Deena and Denise. Dean worked at and eventually became part owner at Hastings Battery & Electric for 38 years before retiring. After retiring Dean worked at NC Plus and Remington Seed for five years. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry, enjoyed going to the National Guard coffees and the Burger King coffee groups. He enjoyed Husker sports, yard work, old cars, golfing, card games and spending time with his family.



Dean is survived by his wife of 53 years, Darlene and two daughters, Deena Ackerman of Lincoln NE, Denise and Robert Leigh of Grand Island, NE; grandchildren Jason Kumke of Lincoln, NE, and Melissa Kumke of Lincoln, NE, and Logan Leigh of Lincoln, NE and Abigail Leigh of Grand Island, NE. He is also survived by his brother Allan & Joann Ackerman of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sister Karen & Duane Gruener of Phillips, NE, and Janelle & Dennis Stelk of Phillips, NE, sister in law & brother in law Judy & Laverne Jensen of Grand Island, NE, as well as his many loving nieces and nephews.



Dean is preceded in death by his parents Karl and Elenora (Griess) Ackerman, infant sister Coleen Ann Ackerman, grandparents Frederick and Katharina (Furhman) Ackerman, and Edgar and Christina (Peter) Griess, and many aunts and uncles.



Visitation will be Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 4 pm to 6 pm with family present at the Apfel Funeral Home Chapel, Hastings, NE. Services will be Monday, April 10, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church, Hastings, NE at 11am with Rev.Dr. Lee Wigert and Rev Kent Rogers officiating. Interment will be at Grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island, NE at 2pm. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings is in charge of the arrangements.



A memorial will be established by the family.