Dennis Akerson

Funeral Services for Dennis Akerson will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Reverend Daren Popple officiating. Interment will be held following the services in the Fridhem Cemetery in rural Funk, Nebraska.

Carl Dennis Akerson, 86 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska (formerly of Holdrege), passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018, at Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island. Dennis was born March 20, 1931, at Funk, the fourth of five children born to Carl G. and Ellen M. (Larson) Akerson.  Dennis received his primary education from a rural school near Funk, and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1948.

Following his education, he enlisted in the National Guard, and served his country for nine years until his honorable discharge from the Guard in 1957.  Dennis worked a few years as a bricklayer and then pursued his lifelong career in horticulture and the floral business.

On September 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Bettie Cornelia Brown at Kearney, Nebraska, and to this union two children were born:  Cindy and Jeffrey.  The family made their home in Axtell, Nebraska, until moving to Holdrege in 1958.  After moving to Holdrege, Dennis was employed by the Holdrege Floral Company, eventually acquiring ownership, and operated the floral shop with his business partner, John Rupe, until Dennis's retirement in 1981.  He particularly enjoyed managing the business and planting and tending the flowers and plants in the greenhouses. Whether Dennis was assisting customers with a special occasion, family celebration, or time of sorrow, he took great pride in his work.

On January 1, 2016, Dennis and Bettie began to make their home in Grand Island to be near family.  On July 4, 2016, he was preceded in death by Bettie after almost 62 years of marriage.

Dennis was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church.  He was an avid golfer as well as coin and watch collector, but his biggest passion was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents and wife, Bettie, Dennis was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Cali Hesser; four sisters: Marian Barnes and her husband, Clifford; Delores Hadenfeldt and her husband, Donald; Caroline Bigley and her husband, Robert; and Lois Pokorney and her husband, Ronald.

In addition, Dennis was also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law: Doug Brown and his wife, Lee; and Dick Brown and his wife, Barbara; a niece, Trudy Pokorney; and two nephews:  Michael Barnes and John Bigley.

He leaves to celebrate his life his daughter, Cindy Sheffield, and her husband, Al, of Grand Island; son, Dr. Jeff Akerson, and his wife, Tanny, of Bellevue, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Chad (Kayla) Sheffield of Grand Island; Amy (Aaron) Bomgaars of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Courtney (Brandon) Hesser of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Adam (Mollie) Akerson of Kearney, Nebraska; ten great-grandchildren:  Caden, Chase and Alli Sheffield; Charlie, Jack and Burke Bomgaars; Braxton and Brenna Hesser; and Collins and Winnie Akerson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

Memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church or Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM).

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com .