Magdalene Acker
February 19, 1920 - September 12, 2014
Obituary
WAUNAKEE/MIDDLETON-Magdalene Rose Acker, age 94, passed away on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. She was born on Feb. 19, 1920, the daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Kessenich) Ziegler. Magdalene was united in marriage to Walter Acker on May 20, 1941 in St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Middleton. She went to grade school at the Pheasant Branch School which is now the VFW on Century Avenue. Magdalene had a great passion for flowers which led her to help run the family business, Orchids by the Ackers, where she was referred to as the “Orchid Lady” by everyone including the Bishop. She was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, their Christian Mothers, where she was treasurer and vice president, the 5-0 Club, and the Living Rosary Club. She was also a member of the Middleton Opti-Mrs., where she served as treasurer and volunteered at the Waunakee Manor and the MOM Food Pantry. Magdalene enjoyed bowling in couples leagues with her husband Walter and friends, baking cookies and bran muffins for her family but truly treasured the time spent with her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Kenneth (Linda) of Omaha, Neb., Vernon (Sharon) of Rochester, Minn., Ronald (Judith) of Waunakee, Nancy (Stan) Acker-Skolaski of Waunakee, Charles (Karen) of Madison, a sister, Bernice Marx of Roxbury; a brother, Sylvester Ziegler of Middleton; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; twin daughters, Ann and Mary; grandson Todd; granddaughter Katherine; three brothers, Dennis, Henry and Clarence Ziegler and two sisters, Clothilda Ziegler and Emerentina Kassul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave, Middleton at 10:30 AM on Wed. Sept. 17, 2014, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Ashton. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 4 PM until 8 PM on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 and also at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Service
Wed Sep 17, 2014 @ 10:30 AM CDT
St. Bernard Catholic Church (University) • 7450 University Avenue, Middleton, WI null
Photos
Memories
CA
CHARLES ACKER
Other •
My mother loved working with the orchids along side her husband and they both left their calling cards of beautiful cut orchid flowers EVERYWHERE they went! Known as the 'Orchid Lady' among her peers she had a gift with plants in general. Everything she planted, either inside or outdoors grew like crazy. Her vegetable garden was something to behold. I hybridized and named an orchid plant in her honor in 2001 called Phragmipedium Magdalene Rose. Picture of that flower enclosed. Mother, you will always be in my heart ............... With All My Love, your son Charles.
PS
Pat Schwartz
Other •
Dear Kayla and family, Thinking of all of you during this sad time!!
What a sweet lady. Prayers and hugs to all! Love, Pat Schwartz
CM
Carol Maffet
Other •
Maggie was one special lady. She will be missed by all the people with whom she did volunteer work. I have known her since her son Ron and I attended St. Bernard's Elementary school back in the 50's. My first memory of her was when she would stand by the school bus waiting for Ron to get on or off when she was pregnant with either Nancy or Chuck. My family is distantly related to her and I always considered her a friend. My condolences to her entire family. Carol Treinen Maffet
DC
Donna Camp
Other •
What a sweet lady Meg was. She was a friend of my mom, Gerry Dolnik who lives at Waunakee Manor. They became quite good friends over the years...and I know my mom will truly miss her. Every time I saw her, she always had a warm hug for me. My sincere condolences to her entire family.
SA
Stan Acker
Other •
Our Aunt Magdalene was a very elegant lady and we will miss her radiant smile.
Stanley and Marlies Acker
Deepest sympathy also from Margot Richter.
DK
Deanna Kerr
Other •
Mag was a classy lady. I loved her smile!