Eileen Agnes Ackerman (nee Staral) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, surrounded by her husband, Tom, and her family.
Eileen was born on December 15, 1937 in West Bend, Wisconsin, and she was the middle child of Anton and Cecelia Staral. Eileen loved learning at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and West Bend High School. One of Eileen’s many notable early experiences was representing Washington County in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Highway 41 was expanded to four lanes in the mid-1950’s. Eileen graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison cum laude with a teaching degree in 1959.
Eileen taught school in Cedarburg, Wisconsin for one year. While teaching, she married Thomas Ackerman in 1959. She left teaching at the end of the school year because, at that time, teachers were required to resign if they became pregnant. She gave birth to their first child, Patricia in October of 1960. Pat (Mark Baitinger) was followed by Mary (Ted) Freese, Susan (Van) Teskey and Philip (Jennifer) Ackerman. She and her family moved to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin in 1974 and her children attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. When that school was in need of a half time teacher, Eileen welcomed the opportunity to return to her chosen profession. She taught for ten years and resigned when her mother took ill and needed someone to care for her. After her mother passed away, Eileen felt she needed to slow down as she was feeling her age. She found joy in reading the Bible, learning about the lives of the saints and marveling at the beauty of God’s creation. Eileen greatly enjoyed following the life progress of her children and grandchildren, and she cherished the friendships she made at Fort Atkinson’s Tuesday Club.
Eileen is survived by her husband, Tom, children Pat, Mary and Phil, and eight grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Tony Staral and Kathy Johnson, and her daughter Susan.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 5 from 4 to 6 pm at Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, followed by recitation of the rosary at 6 pm. A second visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 6 from 10 to 11:15 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, also in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. A Funeral Mass will be held on March 6 at 11:30 am at St. Joseph’s, followed by internment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery and lunch at St. Joseph’s.
Family and friends wishing to honor Eileen with a memorial are encouraged to donate to St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Sunset Ridge Memory Care in Jefferson, Wisconsin and Agrace Hospice for their compassion, smiles and support.
Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
Eileen Agnes Ackerman
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