Mabel L. (Watt) Ackerman

Mabel L. Ackerman, age 93, of Dows passed away Thursday March 6, 2014 at the Mary Greely Medical Center in Ames.

Mabel, the daughter of George "Bert" and Stella Wescott Watt, was born in Morgan Township near Dows, Iowa, on September 27, 1920. She was baptized in and was a life-long member of the United Presbyterian Church in Dows. She married Francis "Pete" Ackerman on Aril 1, 1951 at the United Presbyterian Church in Dows. Mabel and Pete were blessed with two children, Patti Jo and Danny.

Mabel started school in Hansell, then moved to Rockford where she attended country school. At the age of nine, they moved back to near Popejoy where she attended Sunny Corner country school. She attended high school in Popejoy, where Mabel graduated in the class of 1937. After high school, Mabel went to Chillicothe, MO, and attended business college for one year. In the fall of 1938, she returned to Dows, where Mabel worked for Rummel Drug for 14 years. Her other jobs included five and one half years as a clerk at the Iowa Liquor Store in Dows, the Dows Creamery Office until it closed in 1965, five and one half years for Glade Market, and three years as co-owner of the thrift store. Mabel's proudest career accomplishment was her time as manager of the Iowa Liquor Store in Dows until she had to give that up due to health reasons. She was very proud of her Liquor Store Manager of the Month Award given to her in February 1977 by the Iowa Liquor Control Commission.

Mabel was always a great supporter of Dows where she was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and Kensington Club. She enjoyed reading, watching television, especially Iowa State Cyclone sports and her St. Louis Cardinals, and anything that made her laugh. She was known for her great sense of humor and always had a joke or story to share. Mabel was also quite the social butterfly. You would often find her at the Texas Jams on Friday nights at the Dows Convention Center showing off her love for dance. Mabel dearly loved her grandchildren and the time she spent together with her whole family. She could always be counted on to be there for all of their school activities.

Mabel is survived by her two children, Jo Spotts and Dan Ackerman both of Ames, three grandchildren, Ryan Spotts of Scottsdale, AZ, Sarah Spotts of Ames, Leah Ackerman of Des Moines, a brother, Robert Watt of Milford, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Pete, infant brother, son-in-law, Carl Spotts, sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Fred Granau, and a sister-in-law, Irene Watt.