Mark “Don” Achtermann, 89, long-time Ackley resident, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Grand JiVante in Ackley.
Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Monday, May 1, 2023 at the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ackley. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until service time on Monday at the church. Woodley Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iowa Falls is caring for Don and his family.
Mark Donald Achtermann, 89, passed on to his next adventure on April 26, 2023 due to complications from a fall. Known to everyone as Don, on May 30, 1933 he was born in Cleves, Iowa to Mark and Hattie Achtermann. He graduated from Ackley High School in 1951. He graduated from Gates Business School in 1952 and then served in the Army Corps of Engineers until 1955 where he discovered a knack for engineering. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1959 with a degree in chemical engineering. After graduation he moved to Yorktown, Indiana where he worked for General Motors designing car batteries until 1992.
Mark married his soulmate Anita Hunt in 1991. After retiring, he and Anita found their way back to Ackley to enjoy the town he loved as a boy. Don loved people and knew no greater pleasure than talking with a friend. Don loved cars, especially the Corvettes he had over the years. He was a faithful member of St. John’s United Church of Christ. With Anita, he loved to travel, met people, fiddle in the yard, have a quiet afternoon tea and enjoy their two cats, KC and Simone.
Don is survived by his wife, Anita Achtermann; son, Jeff (Kati) Achtermann of Austin, Texas; daughter, Jean (Tom Sessions) Achtermann of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Garrett and Grant Culbertson of Ohio and Emily and Will Achtermann of Texas; as well as nieces, nephews and special friends: Lynn, Kris, Jamie, Jodie and Jacob Johnson of Ackley, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Vern.
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