Alice "Marmer" Akenson

Alice “Marmer” Akenson was born at home on January 31, 1924 in a small, close-knit village of Norwegian families called Jericho located 17 miles west of Willmar, Minnesota.  She was the second of 11 children born to Harry and Luella Skaalrud.

Alice grew up in a community where the Vinje Lutheran Church was the center of activity and where she was confirmed.   She attended a one room school house where she learned to speak English and later graduated from the New London High School.

After graduating, Alice moved to Minneapolis where she worked as a domestic for several families before landing a job at The Sons of Norway because she could speak and write Norwegian fluently.

During World War II she worked at the Twin City Arsenal in New Brighton making ammunition.  After the war she found a job running the office for a small trucking company.  There she met a driver named Howard who had made it through the war and was happy to settle down with Alice.  They married in 1948, made their home in Minneapolis where Alice kept an immaculate house, raised her two children in a happy and loving way and kept active at the First Baptist Church where she had many wonderful friends.

Alice and Howie loved to be at the lake and discovered Alexandria in the mid -fifties.   After renting cabins and even spending several summers in a small trailer at Carlos State Park, they bought a cabin on Lake Darling where family and many friends spent wonderful summers at the lake.  “Marmer’s Cabin House” door was always open and a favorite spot for a crew of neighborhood kids to stop for cookies and some quarters to take to the candy store.  She loved children and they loved her.

Alice died on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Grand Arbor in Alexandria at the age of 94.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Luella Skaalrud and eight of her siblings.

Alice is survived by Howard her husband of sixty-nine years,  children; Tom (Linda) Akenson, Patti (Steve) Tessmer;  grandchildren,  Nicole Tessmer,  Zach (Amanda) Tessmer, Andy (Meg) Akenson, Ellie Akenson, five great grandchildren;  brother, Jim (Kathleen) Skaalerud; sister, Caren Carlson and special niece Susan (Skaalerud)  Nelson.

Alice’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the Knute Nelson Hospice and Grand Arbor staff for the wonderful, compassionate care they provided.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice or Grace Church in Alexandria.