Bernice Ackerman, age 95, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Villa at Lincoln Park. She was born on December 29, 1922, in Racine to the late Edward and Helen (Nee:Ultsch) Wohlust.
She attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from William Horlick High School in 1941. Bernice married Laurence Ackerman on May 23, 1942, her high school sweetheart. She was an active volunteer serving as a poll worker, president of the Lincoln Lutheran Auxiliary, president of the Bixby – Hansen Auxiliary American Legion Post 171, and as a member of the Women of the ELCA.
Bernice was an active charter member of Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church and served in the choir and assisted in designing the kitchen in the new church. She also was still a member of Girl Scout Troop 1943. Above all else, she treasured her family. Her main enjoyment came from raising her 5 children, and supporting them in all their activities. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed.
Surviving are 4 children, Cheryl (Dave) Thomson, Terry (Debra) Ackerman, Candy Zicarelli, Cindy (Eric) Weiss; grandchildren, Kristen (Jay) Swaim, Jennifer (Mark Thomas) Trotter, Brian (Carey) Thomson, Amy (Phil) Farco, Julie (Peter) Ortiz, Dan Johnson, Casey (Matt) Bremer, Ricky Zicarelli, Janelle (Mike) Nativi, Michael Ackerman, Steven Ackerman, Nate (Courtney) Weiss, Katie (Keith) Motycka; great grandchildren, Chloe (Dalton) Davis, Elizabeth Swaim, Coty (Tina Fleiss) Ortiz, Anthony Ortiz, Ashley Farco, Aiden Farco, Alex Farco, Wyatt Thomson, William Nativi, Andrew Nativi, Emma Nativi, Jade Johnson, Emersyn Bremer, and Aria Motycka; great great grandson, Parker Ortiz; other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her son, Tim; son-in-law, Mike Zicarelli; and granddaughter, Gabriella Ortiz.
There was a memorial service held at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, located at 1700 Green Bay Rd., on Saturday, January 5 at 11 a.m. Reverend Krista Zimmerman officiated. Friends and relatives met with the family from 10-11 a.m. Private interment followed at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials to Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church have been suggested.
The family extends a thank you to the staffs of Villa at Lincoln Park, Ascension All Saints Hospital, and Allay Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. Also a special thank you to Elaine Klandrud for bringing communion to Bernice.