Lois Maxine Henderson Ackley, 81, of 439 Lindale Dr., Marion, died peacefully at 12:20 a.m. on April 11, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids where she had been hospitalized the past seven weeks. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion is in charge of arrangements.
Lois was born October 21, 1921 on the family farm in Mechanicsville, Iowa, the first child of Harry E. and Hilda Faye Marquart Henderson. She was also the first granddaughter of Anna Henderson, who delivered her.
She attended country schools in the Mechanicsville area and graduated from high school in 1939. While attending college in Ames, Iowa, Lois wrote the news for the local newspaper. She returned home after two years due to her mother?s failing health. She attended Business school from 1941-1942 in Cedar Rapids and then moved to Davenport, Iowa to work in the WAR plant until 1945. In August of 1945, she began a new job at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids and eventually met her future husband, Roger Ackley.
Lois and Roger were married on September 18, 1948 in Cedar Rapids. They lived and worked there until 1950 when Roger was called to duty and they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he was stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. They moved back to Iowa in 1968, and she had resided in Cedar Rapids since 1970.
She is survived by one daughter, Darcy Jo Ackley of Bloomington, Illinois; three sons, Colin E. Ackley (Dorothy) of Farmington, New Mexico; Curt Powers-Ackley (Louise) of Durango, Colorado; and Craig A. Ackley of Cedar Rapids; three beautiful and gifted grandchildren, Spencer Clark Powers-Ackley of Durango, CO; Katelyn Mariah Ackley and Lindsey Nicole Ackley of Farmington, NM; and two sisters, Betty Yates and Joanne Bolgren, both of Oklahoma City, OK and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and infant sister.
A memorial service is planned for a later date in Cedar Rapids. Condolences may be sent in care of her daughter, Darcy, to: 709 E. Taylor St., Bloomington, IL 61701.
Mom, you will be greatly missed - you fought the fight and we?re so proud of you.
We love you.
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