LeRoy George Ackerman, 89, of Kenmare, ND, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Born on May 11, 1935, in Kenmare, he was the son of Peter and Rose (Meyer) Ackerman. LeRoy was raised and educated in his hometown, attending St. Agnes Academy.

On April 2, 1960, LeRoy married Sharon Brekhus, and together they built a life and family in Kenmare, raising their seven children. Sharon sadly passed away in April 1975. LeRoy later married Edith Lundgren; they subsequently divorced. LeRoy met Judy Lee in Devils Lake and they shared over 30 years of companionship there. They cherished their time together at the lake, soaking up the sun, traveling with friends and family, enjoying crafts, and simply being together. LeRoy was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying ice fishing and hunting, and he generously volunteered his time at the Devils Lake Annual Fishing Tournaments. Following Judy’s passing in 2021, LeRoy returned to Kenmare. He found joy in helping his children in any way he could and loved playing bingo at City Limits. LeRoy was a man of many talents, working as a carpenter, mechanic, bartender, cashier, surveyor, and even doing some roofing with his son.

LeRoy is survived by his children: Melody (Todd) Hart, (grandchildren: Misty, Amber [Lynnea], and Zane; great grandchildren: Tristan, Xavier, Shae, Quintin, Dakota, Madex, Ryitt, Azryah and great great grandchild AJ); Perry (Donna) Ackerman (grandchildren: Danny, Denise (Jason), Deidre (Mike), and Dennis; great grandchildren: Michael (Dallas), Michelle, Megan, Perry, Emily, Jayce, Henry, Madelyn, Jacob, Claire, and Drake; great great-grandchildren: Hensley, Ezra, and Luka); Boyd Ackerman; Marty (Joan) Ackerman; Donny (Wendy) Ackerman (grandchildren: Zachary (Sydnee), Hannah, and Adam (Izzy Settel); great grandchildren: Lylah and Louise); Rocky (Karla Jones) Ackerman; and Sheila (Jim) Ackerman Goforth (grandchildren: Dalton and Maria). He is also survived by a son he connected with later in life, Mickey, (grandchildren: Shane, Laura and Lana) ; Judy’s daughters, Kristy and Debbie, and their families, who held a special place in his heart; his sisters-in-law, Sally Ackerman and Eleanor Ackerman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Rose Ackerman; his wife, Sharon Ackerman; his longtime partner, Judy Lee; his grandson, Randy R. Michalenko, Jr.; his son-in-law, Jim Goforth; and his siblings and their spouses: Evelyn (Leo) Schmitz, Rachel (Lloyd) Mattern, Jerome (Bud) (Isabella) Ackerman, Lawrence Ackerman, Alvin Ackerman, Maurice (Adeline) Ackerman, Marlyn (Howard) Moericke, Darlene (Jim) Bartuska, James Ackerman, Shirley (James) Clark, and Peter (Eleanor) Ackerman Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year.