Obituary of Ila Yvonne Ackerman

ILA Y. ACKERMAN Ila Yvonne Lawson Ackerman, 84, passed away peacefully February 15, 2014 at Mountainview House in Camas, WA. At her request there will be no service. Ila was born April 3, 1929 in Fairmount, ND, to Harold J. Lawson and Ella O. Lien Lawson. The family moved to Canby, OR when Ila was six where she spent many happy years with her beloved brother, Boyd, and her extended family. She loved playing with all of the animals on her Aunt Laura and Uncle Elzie Holden's farm. When an opportunity for better employment came, the family moved to Cascade Locks, OR, where Ila entered the 5th grade. Her father began work for Bonneville Power and her mother returned to teaching. Ila loved the beauty of the area and spent many joyful summers fishing and swimming in the Columbia River with Boyd and her friends. It was there that she met Richard Dick P. Ackerman, a handsome young Navy man from Stevenson, WA. They married Nov. 8, 1946, shortly after Ila's high school graduation from Cascade Locks High School, and moved to Camas. Ila began working as a cashier at the Sprouse-Reitz store in downtown Camas. She later joined Dick working at the Crown Zellerbach paper mill. Following that Ila worked as a dental assistant, and finally retired to her home on Mt. Norway in Washougal on Jan. 1, 1986 after more than 20 happy years at Camas Furniture. Always interested in the world around her, Ila was an avid reader. Not a day went by that she didn't read The Columbian newspaper from cover to cover. Some of her favorite interests included flower gardening, airplanes and flight, coin collecting, the Portland Trailblazers, traveling, going to garage sales, and playing slot machines. But the most important thing in the world to Ila was always her family. She was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do to help and support her family and friends. She was happiest when she was surrounded by those she loved, especially her three grandsons. Ila is survived by her daughter, Shelley Ackerman Zarrouki, husband, Omar, and grandsons Jordan and Dustin Arrington; son Todd Ackerman, wife, Dara, and grandson, Erik; brother-in-law Dale Ackerman, wife, Janet, nephew David, niece Karen Riley, husband, Steve, great-nephews Matthew and Bryan, and several cousins. The family wishes to thank the professional and loving staff at Mountainview House for their wonderful care and friendship. Ila felt at home at Mountainview and enjoyed the time she spent with the staff and her friends there. If you wish to make a donation in Ila's memory, her favorite charities were Silver Star Search and Rescue, OPB, and the American Cancer Society. Donations can also be made to Mountainview House to help support resident activities. Straub's Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements. To Send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.