Mary J Ackmann passed away on January 31, at the age of 79. Mary was born in St. Louis, on October 25, 1944 daughter of Floyd Knisley and Janet Kriz Knisley. She had 2 older brothers Floyd Jr.(Lefty) and Patrick and one older sister Janet. She also came to have a half brother Andrew Timan, Jr. who is younger.
At the age of 3 she came to live with Rollie and Marie Browning, known to her as Rawl and Aunt Mary. They loved her and cared for her as their own. Her mother wouldn't sign adoption papers to them so after Mr. Browning's death Mrs. Browning was advised she could adopt her since she was of age if they both agreed and she was adopted then.
She attended Oakdale School on South Lohman Rd for her first 3 years, where her neighbor Lillian Throughman Pauk was her teacher. When the school closed she attended Wright City R-II in the 4th grade where Della Throughman, her other neighbor, was her teacher. She graduated as salutatorian of her 1962 class. She was confirmed in the United Church of Christ in Wright City where she has remained a member.
On August 22, 1964 she married Orville Ackmann from the Treloar, Holstein area. They made their first home on Depot St. in Marthasville. To this union two sons were born Aaron and Arden.
Mary worked several different places throughout her life after graduation, her last job was at the Warrenton Post Office for ten years until she was forced to retire due to a brain tumor which left her handicapped in 2002. She and her husband also farmed while working full time. Mary enjoyed woodworking, making beautiful inlaid tables and crosses under the name of Ackmann Tables and More. She and Orville cut and sold firewood for a number of years. Mary loved to run a chainsaw, one of her favorite birthday presents was a new Stihl saw.
After retirement Mary started making quilts on a daily basis. She always did a little sewing between working and raising a family, but it was not until retirement that she fully took on the job of making quilts. She made and gave away many quilts to Emmaus Homes, Quilts of Valor, and friends and church family.
Mary is survived by her two sons, Aaron Ackmann, Arden Ackmann; 2 granddaughters, Allie and Ashlie; two 1/2 brothers, Andrew Timman, Dennis Knisley. She is preceded in death by her husband, Orville Henry Ackmann, mother, Marie Browning, father, Rollie Browning, birth father, Floyd Knisley, birth mother, Janet Kriz, brother, Floyd Knisley, brother, Patrick Knisley, sister, Janet Knisley. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
