Funeral services for Orphia Ackerman age 95 of Beemer, Nebraska will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Beemer. Pastor Ryan Seymour will officiate. Interment will be in the Beemer Cemetery. A luncheon at St. John’s Lutheran Church will follow.
Visitation will be on Wednesday May 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Beemer, with family in attendance from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Orphia passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Orphia Ackerman was born to Adolph Sr. and Alma (Hass) Raasch on November 26, 1922 in Beemer, NE. Orphia attended rural school and graduated from Beemer High School in 1941. Orphia married Warren Ackerman on August 20, 1942. Orphia and Warren had four children -- Orin, Gerald, Gale, and Jo Ann.

Orphia and Warren loved to dance, especially to polka. When Orphia and Warren married, he didn’t know how to dance, so she made him take lessons with her in Norfolk. Soon they became well known, and were even crowned the “King and Queen of Polka” in 1985. Orphia and Warren loved music and travelling. Orphia would buy a silver collectible spoon every place she and Warren travelled; her collection is a reflection of her many adventures.

Orphia was an avid gardner who was happy to share her flower arrangements and produce with friends and family. Orphia was committed to her family and her faith, and was a lifelong public servant, serving as an active participant in many local organizations. Among the organizations that benefitted from Orphia’s dedication were the Beemer Firemen’s Auxiliary, the REA, the Cuming County Farm Bureau, and the St. John’s Ladies Aid and Missionary Aid.

Orphia is survived by her daughter-in-law Jean Ackerman of Beemer, NE, her granddaughter Brittney Ackerman (John-Paul Jirik) of Northfield, MN, and her siblings Elgene (Lyman) Brown of Sutton, NE, Lyle (Nancy) Raasch of Walthill, NE, Dean Raasch of Mesa, AZ and Terry (Cindy) Raasch of Beemer, NE. Orphia was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph Sr. and Alma, her husband Warren, and her children Orin, Gerald, Gale and Jo Ann. Orphia was also preceded in death by three sisters-Berdina Paulson, Ivaloh Copple, VerNell Petz and four brothers-Adolph Raasch, Jr., Harland Raasch, Clifford Raasch and Dallas Raasch.

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