Roger Ackley

Roger A. Ackley, age 59 of Baldwin, passed away August 31, 2014 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Roger was born January 6, 1955 in Corona, CA, the son of Douglas Ackley and Iola (Fox) Ackley. He graduated from St. Croix Central High School with the Class of 1973. After high school, Roger furthered his education at Brown Institute receiving an Associate degree in computer science. Roger worked for the McMillan Electric Company for 36 years.

Roger was a lover of loud rock and roll music, especially fond of Rush and Genesis, and an admirer of great drummers. He appreciated fast cars and motorcycles, and was well entertained when watching NASCAR. He was particularly proud of his 2002 Saab convertible. Roger enjoyed reading and relished in science fiction. Roger and his father shared the learning experience of tae kwon do and proudly mastered black belts together. He was a big fan of Shelly’s Northside Cafe, not only enjoying the food, but the company and friendships he found there as well. He was a long time member of the Roberts United Church of Christ. In the last 7 weeks of Roger’s life, he was determined to not let his cancer define him, instead determined to take 5 major vacations within the United States with his family. Those memories will forever be cherished.

Roger is survived by his father and step-mother, Doug and Audrey Ackley; siblings: Kim (Don) Patterson, Gerry Marie (John) Filippini, Dawn (Brett) Budrow, Brent (Rachel) Ackley and Jackie (Van) Nash; nieces and nephews: Jeremy (Jamie), Joshua (Brandie), Jennah (Jake), Kalyn, Tyler, Luke, Camille, McKenzie, Morgan, Eli, Autumn and Samuel; aunts, Mary Ellen Ackley and Elaine Kay Bond; long time friend, Gary Nelson; and family friends, James & Sonya Jansma and Terra & Stephanie Jansma. He was preceded in death by his mother, Iola (Fox) Morgan; grandparents, Cecil & Doris Ackley and David & Marion Fox; and uncle, Jack Bond.

A Celebration of Roger’s Life will take place 1:00-4:00pm, with a 4:00pm Memorial Service, Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton St., in Baldwin. Honorary urn bearers will be: Gary Nelson, Tyler Ackley, Luke Budrow, Jake Stoffel, Brett Budrow, James Jansma, Don Patterson and John Filippini. Funeral services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory of Baldwin (715) 386-3725.