OREGON - Jean Evelyn Acker peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. She was born the oldest of eleven children to Rosemary and Richard Herbrand on Sept. 26, 1944. Jean met the love of her life, Syl, at a local dance. They married and spent the next 62 years building a life together.

Upon graduating from Sauk City High School in 1962, she started her career working for Rayovac until their first of four children was born. At that time, she took on the job of homemaker and raising the four children. When the children were in school, she went to work at The Bank of Middleton in bookkeeping. She survived a couple bank mergers and eventually worked her way up to branch manager at M&I Bank on Fish Hatchery Road. She developed lasting friendships with many of her fellow employees.

Growing up on her family farm, Jean never shied away from hard work and doing whatever it took to meet the needs of her family. She taught her children how to raise strong, loving children of their own.

Her grandchildren were some of her greatest joys. She loved watching them do whatever they loved to do. No game, recital or program was too far away or too short in duration for her to make the time to be there. She also enjoyed visiting new places, but her greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends. She and Syl bowled in a league with the same dear friends for 30+ years, played in the same card club for 40+ years and over all the years Jeannie would never hold back a good, hearty belly laugh.

Jean is survived by her husband, Sylvester Acker; children, Kevin (Theresa) Acker, Kurt (Kari) Acker and Kristine (Joseph) Jankowski; grandchildren, Dylan (Lexi) Acker, Lindsey (Justin) Jafferis, Kramer Acker, Thomas Jankowski, Olivia (Luke) Held, Bronson Acker, Gabrielle Acker, Maxwell Acker and Samuel Acker; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Kayla and Ryan Chase, Lexi, Landon and Maverick Jafferis and Margeaux Held; and siblings, Stanley (Ethel) Herbrand, Sharon (Jerry) Fuerstenberg, Allan (Karen) Herbrand, Leon (Jolene) Herbrand, Eileen (Bill) Gauger, William (Kathy) Herbrand, Jeffrey (Nancy) Herbrand, Debra (Jim) Kloth, Sandi Henn and Keith (Glenn Woods) Herbrand. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kyle Acker; granddaughter, Carin Chase; and brother-in-law, Joseph Henn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, with Father Tom Kelley presiding. A luncheon will follow the Mass at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon. A visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

“Safe travels Hon. I’m sure St. Peter has a golden chariot waiting just for you. I love you.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Jean’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Second Harvest Food Bank. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515

Jean Evelyn Acker

September 26, 1944 - December 25, 2023

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