Valeria Acker

Waunakee / Ashton - An Amazing Mother of 13 Children, Valeria Clara Acker, age 91, decided to have Christmas in Heaven on December 14, 2016. She was surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren as they sang her favorite Christmas Carol, "Silent Night," and prayed the rosary. She is the northern star in her children's eyes guiding them through life's journey instilling in them that a tight family bond, faith and hard work will light the path to happiness and accomplishments. She was the inspiration and backbone that helped achieve her husband's visions and family success's. She bestowed on her family, always be kind and nonjudgmental. She was always the first to give encouragement and the last to criticize. She cherished the Holidays and being surrounded by her family.

Valeria was born in Cross Plains on April 1, 1925 to Martin and Julia (Zander) Bollenbeck. She was the oldest of three children and graduated from Edgewood High School. On April 23rd, 1946 Valeria married Clarence Acker. Together for the next 56 years, with their 13 children, they farmed in Middleton and ran a successful land development business. Valeria was affectionately known as "Ma Acker" over the years to many of her children's friends. She loved to share laughs and joke with them.

Valeria is survived by her 12 children: Marvin (Christine) Acker of Madison, Martin (Kay) Acker of Florida, Wayne (Barbara) Acker of Waunakee, Susan (Stephen) Eastwood of Waunakee, Eileen Acker of Middleton, Dennis (Marlene) Acker of Waunakee, Randy (Judy) Acker of Middleton, Rita (Rod) Voss of Waunakee, Kevin (Jeanette) Acker of Waunakee, Karen Acker of Waunakee, Peggy (Bob) Acker-Farber of Waunakee, Judy (Dale) Maly of Waunakee; 26 Grandchildren; 3 Great Grandchildren; sisters-in-laws, Clara (Tom) Church, Beatrice (the late Sylvester) Hellenbrand of Waunakee, Josephine (the late Wendell) Pederson of Portage and Annabelle (the late Edward) Acker of Waunakee; brothers-in-laws, Jerome Wagner of Middleton, and Theron Miller of Arizona.

Valeria was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; daughter, Patricia; parents, Martin & Julia Bollenbeck; sister, Teresa (Jerome) Wagner; brother, Kenneth Bollenbeck; sisters-in-laws, Verena (Theron) Miller and Margaret (the late Ronald) Pierce.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 from 4pm - 8pm. Additional visitation will take place at St. Peter Catholic Church, 7121 County Hwy K, Middleton, on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 from 10am - 11am. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11am with Fr. Tait Schroeder presiding. Valeria will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. A reception will take place at Rex's Innkeeper following the committal service at the cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the CNA and nursing staff at the Waunakee Manor for their caring and support of our mother over the years, her daughter Rita for being Mom's Guardian Angel, Paulyn Ripp for her prayer sessions, Aunt Annabelle Acker for her friendship, and Ron Wagner for his helpfulness when needed.

We can honor her by keeping Valeria in our hearts and prayers. In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to the: MARC Center for the Handicapped of Madison (in memory of Patricia) and St. Peter's Ashton and St. John's Waunakee Endowment funds.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
608-849-4513