Shirley Jane (Christopher) Ackerman
April 3, 1935 to March 20, 2022,
Shirley went to her heavenly home on Sunday morning on the first day of spring. She passed peacefully at home of natural causes with the prayers and love of her family.
Shirley was born to Willie and Senia Aurora Christopher and grew up along with her sisters; Vivian, Dorothy and Norma.
Shirley graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a teaching degree. She taught Phy Ed. She married John Paul Ackerman and she moved to Ely with her husband, who was hired as a coach and Phy Ed teacher. They both worked for the Ely school system and raised their young family in Ely. She loved Ely, her friends and her church family at Grace Lutheran. Shirley loved gardening, quilting, crafts, camping and her home on the lake.
She was passionate about raising money for cancer research.
Shirley also worked for the Ely hospital and nursing home in activities later in life.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and her beloved husband, John and son Bill, who passed of cancer at 22.
She is survived by her children; Jane Ackerman (Arizona), Ann Ackerman (Duluth, MN) Joe Ackerman (Arizona). She was also so very loved and is survived by her grandchildren; Mariah, Briana, Billie, Michael, Joshua, Gavrielle, Aurora, Don and Millie and her great-grandchildren who meant the world to her.
The family will be holding a celebration of her life in Ely this summer.
An announcement will be made at a later date.
A donation in her name to support the fight against cancer would be an honor to her.