Alice Akers

ALICE R. AKERS

Troy Mills

Alice R. Akers, 105, of the Troy Mills area, passed away Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids of conditions related to advanced age. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, and one hour before the service on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Funeral service: 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery.

Alice was born the first child of Jesse and Lillie Mote Price on Nov. 2, 1910, near Central City, Iowa. She was the oldest of nine children, each of whom was born in a different location. In 1929, she graduated from Central City High School including a teaching certificate. Alice then attended Iowa State Normal School for the summer term before teaching in country schools.

Alice married Ralph E. Akers on Feb. 8, 1933, at her parents' home near Central City. She met Ralph when they were both "working out" doing farm labor as was common in the 1930s. She loved gardening, sewing and helping with the chores on the farm. When the family gathered, she was always in the kitchen cooking and baking. Alice was an active community member and supported her children in their many school activities. Alice was an avid reader. In retirement with Ralph, they enjoyed creating different yarn crafts. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren looked forward to the cards she sent for birthdays and Christmas for many years. Until a few years ago, rain or shine, mud or ice, she made the daily trip to the mailbox and to the barn to feed the cats. Many were impressed with her repertoire of songs that were sung spontaneously any time, day or night.

Surviving are her children, Judith (George) Berger, Ronald (Brenda Daniel) Akers, Dianne (Robert) Graham and Donald (Pat) Akers; grandchildren, Jeffrey Berger, Jennifer (Nathan) Wrage, Jeremy (Andrea) Berger, Brian (Birgit) Akers, Brent (Paula) Akers, Blake Akers, Barry (Catherine) Akers, Toni Graham, Austin (Janetta) Graham, Troy (Jessica) Graham, Sterling (Chris) Graham, Mandaree (Steven) Sorg, Alicen (Paris) Ashcroft, Davita (Kyle) Chavez, Dawn Akers, Larry (Deanna) Akers and Kimberley (Travor) Robinson; three stepgrandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph, in 1986; one grandson, Joshua Graham; one great-grandson, Sebastian Akers; and two daughters-in-law, Beverly Akers and Annette Akers.

With the help of her family, Alice enjoyed living on the farm near Troy Mills until she was nearly 105 years old.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mercy Hallmar for the care provided by them to Alice during the last months of her life.

Memorials may be directed to Troy Mills American Legion Post No. 712, Troy Mills Fire Department or Mercy Hallmar, in memory of Alice.

Please share a memory of Alice at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.