Kenneth L. Ackley

Kenneth “Skip” L. Ackley, age 89, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, after losing his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown.  Pastor Dan Overbo will officiate.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Tuesday by 1:30 p.m. for a prayer service. The service will be live streamed through our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Monday from 5-7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown and Funeral Honors Team of the U.S. Navy. Honorary pallbearers will be Butch (Tammy) Bronson.  Active pallbearers will be Randy Raymer, Shane Raymer, Rick Bruns, Nick Ackley, Landon Wellendorf, and Brad Wellendorf.

Ken was born on November 1, 1933, in Elrod, SD, to Clayton A. Ackley and Opal I. (Luy) Ackley.  He attended Bradley High School and entered into the United States Navy in 1953.

Ken went to work as a machine operator at the Beloit Corporation in Beloit, WI.  He worked there for 39 years before retiring in 1996.  He then moved to Watertown, SD.  On February 14, 2001, he married Verla Folkestad-Munson. They enjoyed 14 years of winters in Arizona, fishing and gardening.  He spent many hours in his work shop where his nickname “exactly Ackley” came to be.  He was a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, the Elks and American Legion.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Verla, of Watertown; three daughters, Roxanne Davis, Oostburg, WI, Jamie Ackley, Beloit, WI, Kathleen Ackley, Beloit, WI; two step daughters, Kristi (Brad) Wellendorf, Rapid City, SD, Karin Munson, Minneapolis, MN; two sons, Kim (Laurie) Ackley, Ostburg, WI, Ken Ackley II, Latham, NY; one sister, Fran Giessinger, Willmar, MN; one brother in law, Burton (Carrie) Raymer, Bradley, SD; two sisters in law, Paula Ackley, CA, Darlene Bailey, Watertown, SD; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Melissa, Kassandra, Jessica; three step grandchildren, Landon, Lindsey, Henrik; five great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Mallory, Caroline, Maverick, Link; and several nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, step father, Orlin Neal, brother Harold Ackley, two sisters, Bernice Luvaas and Colleen Raymer.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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