Verna Jean (Ginger) Ackerman, 94, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2019 at Clark Retirement Community surrounded by her adoring family. Verna was born in Evart, MI on January 27, 1924. She was raised in Hersey and attended beauty school in Muskegon. It was there she met and married the great love of her life, Marshall, who left her all too soon in 1985. They were married in 1946 and soon moved to Grand Rapids where they established their home and raised their family. Their children are Thomas (Peggy) Ackerman, Nancy Norton, and Connie (John) Decker. Verna was a beautician for many years at Dodgson’s Beauty Salon in Plainfield Plaza and on Fuller, and later at Divine on Oakwood, retiring at age 80. She went back to work to afford a second car, a green Rambler, and to offer the family the summer pleasures of Lakeside Ridge at Big Star Lake. Besides her family, her greatest joy was playing all types of competitive games, especially Bridge. She dealt her final hand on earth in December, but is now back to the original foursome of Marsh, Bern, and Jack. She and Marsh also enjoyed many other pursuits together including golf, bowling, square dancing and the monthly game parties attended by many friends and neighbors. Verna is preceded in death by her husband, Marshall; sisters, Bernice Morris and June Micka and by her daughter-in-law, Ann Ackerman and son-in-law, Charles Norton. Besides her three children, she is survived by 5 biological grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, whom she eagerly welcomed as her own and 20 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Catherine Glasen and many nieces and nephews from Alaska to Massachusetts, as well as her many friends, neighbors and card playing partners at Clark. Visitation will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 26, with a service following at 1:00 PM, at Clark’s BK Room and Memorial Chapel, 1551 Franklin SE in Grand Rapids. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be given to the Clark Foundation, Benevolent Care Fund, 1551 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
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