Oltman "Ollie" Akkerman was born August 23, 1915 at Emery, SD, the son of Jacob & Gertie (Janssen) Akkerman. He grew up & was united in marriage to Vera Sheneberger at St. Louis, MO. Following their marriage Ollie & Vera farmed northeast of Rock Rapids, IA until moving to the Sheneberger family farm in 1963. IN 1981 they retired & moved to Rock Rapids. During his life Ollie enjoyed farming along with raising livestock including milk cows, pigs, chickens, & ducks. Ollie was very independent on the farm & was known for being able to fix & repair his own equipment. In his leisure time Ollie enjoyed playing cards, fishing, working on his flower gardens, along with woodworking. Even though being self-taught in the wood working craft, Ollie was able to create beautiful bowls, picture frames, doll rockers, & drop leaf tables. Many of his creations were shared with his family & friends but he would also make custom pieces for anyone who ordered them. What he charged for these pieces reflected the fact that Ollie did the work more for the love of woodworking rather than for profit. After retiring into Rock Rapids Ollie became an active member of the Congregational United Church of Christ. He was also a long time member of the Farm Bureau. On September 20, 1997 Ollie's wife of 56 years died. After Vera's death Ollie remained in his own home until becoming a resident of Lyon Manor Nursing Home in Rock Rapids in April of 1999. Last Sunday, October 28th, Ollie died at the Lyon Manor at the age of 86.

Ollie is survived by 2 daughters, Carol Luitjens and her husband, Vince, of George, IA; Bonnie Samuelson and her husband, Tom, of Washta, IA; granddaughter, Wendy Samuelson of Fort Dodge, IA; brother Richard Akkerman & his wife Mary, of George, IA; sister Clara Akkerman of George, IA; and brother-in-law Elmer Sheneberger of Rock Rapids, IA.

Preceding Ollie in death were his parents, wife Vera, son-in-law, Glen Blum, granddaughter Michelle Blum, sister Ann Blau, and a brother in infancy.