Esther was born prematurely at home in Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1930, weighing less than 2 pounds.
After the doctor’s house call, her father, Herman Emil Grassan, went to the dime store and purchased doll clothes for her to wear. Her mother, Johanna Marie Grassan (nee Kohsten) finished forming her ears.
Esther graduated from East Commerce Business School and later studied college textbooks, helping her husband and son both achieve Bachelor of Science degrees in Business.
She married Robert B Ackerman on March 19, 1955 at Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. They enjoyed 68 happy years together until Bob’s death on November 7th, 2023.
Esther enjoyed her career in accounting at Michigan Bell Telephone. Other careers included Investor, Product Tester, Home Economist and most importantly to her, Wife and Mother.
After being diagnosed with a rare disease, Hereditary Angio Edema (www.haea.org), Esther selflessly lent her body to risky tests and medical trials at Scripps Clinic to find a cure for the benefit of future HAE patients.
Esther had a contagious laugh and keen sense of humor.
Some of her favorite expressions were:
“Association brings on assimilation”,
“What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is my own” (directed to her husband, Bob) and
“Kiss me, honey, nothing makes me sick”.
Esther had a passion for spreading the Salvation message of her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived to help others.
Esther is survived by her beloved son, Craig Ackerman as well as by 6 nieces and nephews and extended family by Love, who knew her as Mama Esther and Oma.
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