Ed L. Ackerman, 84, of Beatrice, died Saturday morning, Jan. 7, 2012, at his home. He was born on Dec. 27, 1927, near Armour, Neb. He attended grade school at Armour and graduated from Liberty High School in 1945. He then attended Doane College in Crete for one year. On Aug. 14, 1949, he married Elaine Paul at Peace Lutheran Church of rural Plymouth. He worked at Dempster Mill for five years and then for 23 years as a salesman at Lentz Motors of Beatrice. He and Ben Siefkes then owned and operated the Beatrice Motor Mart for 17 years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice for over 50 years. He loved to spend time with his family and enjoyed his pets and many hobbies. He also loved to garden and give his produce away.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of Beatrice; two daughters, Vicki Brolhorst and husband, Dennis, of Beatrice, and Laura Bahr-Frew and husband, James, of rural Martell; one son, Mark Ackerman and wife Janice of Lincoln; daughter-in-law, Denise Ackerman of Lincoln; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Hulda Heuberger Ackerman; son, Randy, who died Oct. 21, 2011; son-in-law, Terry Bahr, seven sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice with Rev. Dr. Delmar D. Wiemers officiating. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to St. John Lutheran Church, Beatrice Community Hospital Hospice Program and the Beatrice Humane Society, with Willard and ValGean Wiese in charge. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home from 10 a.m. Sunday until 9 p.m. Monday, and then one hour preceding the service at the church on Tuesday. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements.