Phyllis Elaine Ackerman

Phyllis Elaine Dieken was born on November 23, 1930 to Elmer and Gertrude Dieken. She was their first child and was a good sister to her four siblings. 

Phyllis grew up helping on her parents' farm. She did chores, milked cows, collected eggs, and fed calves. She went to country school until 8th or 9th grade. After that, she stayed at home and took care of her siblings.

When she was 16 years old, she went to get the mail. The hired hand (Orville) across the road noticed her and told his boss, “I’m going to marry her someday”, and that’s just what he did on June 5th, 1949. Orville was the love of her life and they spent over 75 wonderful years of marriage and recently renewed their vows. 

Together they raised two boys and two girls. They raised them in the faith and taught them the love of Jesus. Something they will always be grateful for. In 1964, the family moved from Clara City to Alexandria. Phyllis worked at Iverson Shoes, Douglas County Hospital, and finally at Alexandria Clinic, where she worked for 21 years before retiring. Orville and Phyllis loved to travel and visited many places. They wintered in Texas and had many good friends and many adventures.

Phyllis loved flowers of all kinds and had a green thumb like no other. She loved to go out in the mornings to talk to her plants and love them. She was a beautiful painter and helped Orville, her daughter Deb, and daughter in law Mary to make many crafts to sell. It was truly a “Family Affair”. 

She was a kind soul and a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. Phyllis touched many lives and was kind to all. Her smile would light up a room and she was liked the minute you met her. 

Phyllis Ackerman died on December 26, 2024, exactly six months to the day from her “honey”, Orville. She is survived by her sons Gary Ackerman from Richfield, Lynn Ackerman (Mary) from Alexandria, daughters Deb Loken (Dan) from Alexandria, and Darla Dau (Randy) also of Alexandria, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends.  The family would like to thank Moments Hospice and Grand Arbor Memory Care for taking such good care of our mom. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.