Norma Ackert

Norma Jean Ackert, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, June 15, 2009, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls.  She was born September 23, 1930, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Johnny and Cora (Strandlien) Kjer. She grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1948. On March 18, 1952, she married Darrell Ackert in Wadena, Minnesota.  Norma Jean Ackert was always ready for an adventure. She was first and foremost a homemaker for her three boys whom she loved dearly. She worked at a drugstore mixing fountain drinks (where she developed a love for Coke and collectibles that continued throughout her lifetime).  She compiled the Rothsay news for the Fergus Falls Journal, and was an assessor for the county. She often worked in food services- everything from being a waitress to owning her own restaurant. Norma lived with her son, Bruce and family, for 18 years. During that time she worked first as a waitress, then in sales at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, a sales representative at Eielson Air Force Base in North Pole, Alaska, and was a waitress and then in sales at Luke Air Force Base. Favorite things to do were sightseeing with family and friends, taking rides in her Thunderbird with her poodle, Tootsie, and cheering for her team- the Phoenix Suns. In 1999 Norma decided it was time to go back to Fergus Falls, Minnesota and came to live at the Pioneer Nursing Home. She quickly became active in many volunteer activities there.  Although Norma enjoyed changes there are some things that remained constant in her life. She loved her family, Coke, Ford cars (preferably Mustang convertibles) and God. Survivors include her mother, Cora Kjer, of Fergus Falls; three sons: Steven (Barbara) Ackert, and John (Sharon) Ackert, all of Rothsay, and Bruce (Lora) Ackert of Phoenix, AZ; nine grandchildren: Mitchell (Tanya) Ackert, Lindsay (Cory) Axvig, Trent Ackert, Christina (Dale) Larson, Billy Ackert, Bobby Ackert, David (Jamie) Ackert, Amanda (Steven) Boren, and Elissa (Nick) Klepinger; 11 great-grandchildren: Trevor, Adelynn, Cohen, Cody, Toni, Johnny, Andrew, Allison, Adam, Evelyn and Josh; and two brothers: Dick (Sue) Kjer of Fergus Falls, and Harlan "Dewey" (Sylvia) Kjer of North Carolina. Visitation:   One hour prior to the service at the Pioneer Home Service:   2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pioneer Home Chapel in Fergus Falls Clergy:   Chaplain Harry Olson Interment:   Hedemarken Lutheran Cemetery, rural Carlisle Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com