Alvin Aker

Alvin Aker, 91 of Ortley died on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Watertown. His funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Ortley Free Lutheran Church in Ortley, Robert Grebel and Rev. Amy Martinell will officiate. Burial will be in Ortley Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Wednesday. Alvin Devern Aker was born on February 11, 1925 to Albert and Lily (French) Aker on the family farm in Roberts County, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm north of Ortley. He attended country school in Alto Township and attended Ortley High School until it closed. In February 1945 he entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea and Japan. After his honorable discharge in December 1946 he returned to the area and worked for area farmers. He was united in marriage to Elaine Christofferson on December 11, 1948. After their marriage the couple made their home on a farm north of Summit, South Dakota. Later they moved to the location of their present farm home in Alto Township, Roberts County, just a mile from his childhood home. Alvin farmed his whole life, living on the farm after retirement. Being on the farm he had a natural talent to repair just about anything. Health issues forced him to move to Golden Living Center in Watertown in July 2014. Elaine passed away in October 2014. At the time of her death the couple had been married for almost 66 years. In his spare time, Alvin played baseball in his younger years. He loved to watch television, especially sports, was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting and ice fishing. He also liked country western music, especially the Statler Brothers. Alvin also enjoyed playing cards and teaching his grandchildren how to play whist and pinochle. He had a soft spot for children and animals and he especially treasured dogs. Alvin was blessed with the gift of hospitality, he greatly enjoyed visiting with people and warmly welcomed others into his home where the coffee was always on and he loved having his grandkids and great grandchildren stop in and visit him. He was a lifetime member of the Utne-Melander Post 2733 V.F. W. of Ortley where he was a devoted member of the color guard and also served on the Alto Township Board for over 30 years. Alvin is survived by his children, Larry (Mary Ann) Aker of Waubay, SD and Marilyn (Monte) Robinson of Milbank, SD; seven grandchildren, Laurie (Kory) Muller, Steve (Jennifer) Aker, Amy (Chuck) Martinell, Jenna (Jeff) Feldmeyer, Kelsey Aker, Shawna (Russ) Gardner and Jamie (Jason) MacKinnon; fourteen great grandchildren, Brady, Carter, Jace and Camden Muller, Evan and Elise Aker, Alexa, Pria and Grayson Martinell, Kylie and Noah Feldmeyer, Cash Gardner and Raya and Jessa MacKinnon; two brothers, Clifford (Phyllis) Aker and Ronnie (Caroline) Aker both of Watertown, SD; sisters-in-law, Lois Cotton of Watertown, SD, Lorene Aker of Waubay, SD, Sandra Christofferson of Summit, SD; brothers-in-law, Turk Amy of Watertown, SD and Forrest (Gladys) Christofferson of Brooklyn Park, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, Steven and three brothers, Alton, Harold and Murel Aker.