John "Bud" Ankerstjerne 1928 - 2014
ANKERSTJERNE, HRISTIANSEN, CHAPIN
Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/27/2014 at 11:55:30
Onawa Democrat
26 March 2014John "Bud" Ankerstjerne, 85, of Onawa, Iowa died Friday, March 21, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. God needed one of the best, so on March 21, 2014, He called for John Ankerstjerne to come be with Him. John, 85 years young, was home on his family farm, surrounded by his loving family, when the angels came to take him to Heaven.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the Rush Family Chapel with Evangelist Dale Wolf, officiating. Burial will be in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M Monday, March 24, 2014 at the Rush Family Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.
John was born on November 16, 1928, to J. Martin and Olga Katherine "Chris"(Christiansen) Ankerstjerne. He was born and died in the same room on that same family farm that he lovingly called, "Belly Acres."
On January 11th, 1951, John married his soul mate and the love of his life, Lila M. Chapin. To that union, 4 children were born.
John lived a full life. He was one of the first farmers in Monona County to successfully raise sugar beets. He was the former President of the West Monona School Board, and instrumental in getting the present High School building completed. He was dedicated to the education of children. He spent many years as a West Monona Trucker Buddy, writing postcards from his truck. He wrote from all over the country to inform children about the geography and history of the areas he was delivering to. In later years, he became a Burgess Hospice Volunteer where he made a difference in the lives of another generation of people. He was an inspiration to his own family, and a beacon of love to all who knew him.
To carry on his legacy, John is survived by his wife, Lila of Onawa, Iowa; his daughters, Sandy Beechy, and Sherri (Bart) McDowell, all of Blencoe, Iowa; his son, Scott (Julie) Ankerstjerne of Whiting, Iowa; daughter-in-law Vernice Ankerstjerne of Onawa, Iowa; his sister, Janet (Tom) Gaukel of Bloomington, Minnesota; eight grandchildren: Mindy(Melissa) Braun, Charity Ankerstjerne, Travis Ankerstjerne, Aaron Beechy, Adam Johnston, Breeanna (Matt) Feauto, Matt Johnston, Jenna (Nathan) Eich; and seven great-grandchildren: Nathan, Ethan, and Dylan Beechy, Noah Haynes, Alivia Johnston, Layton Eich, and baby boy Eich to be born in July; a family friend, Dwight Harms of Whiting, Iowa, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved and admired him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Chris; his best friend and son, Steve; his sister, Joyce Ruth and brother-in-law, Don Ruth; sister and brother-in-law, Inez and Paul Cox; and a granddaughter in infancy.
The family's love and appreciation is extended to Burgess Health Center, and Burgess Home Health and Hospice for their excellent care.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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