Obituary for John Edvin Ackland

John’s HOME! His Heavenly home, that is. He slipped into Eternity on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after experiencing acute kidney failure. He was surrounded by his family. They thank God for His mercy in taking him swiftly. What a glorious reunion he must be having with his infant son and granddaughter, as well as others. He is already greatly missed, more than words can say, but his loved ones are trusting God’s perfect timing.

John’s life began in Owatonna, MN, June 5, 1954. He lived on farms in southern MN (Ellendale, Manchester, and Lerdahl) during his growing up years and worked for neighboring farmers to earn money. His education began at Sibley and Hawthorne Elementary schools in Albert Lea and Clarks Grove Elementary School. John went on to Brookside Jr. High and Albert Lea High School, then graduated from Crookston High School in 1973. He later graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Mpls from a two-year program, then later in life he earned his Associate of Arts degree from Dunwoody. He liked to tell people that his name was painted on the bottom of the sink in the women’s bathroom there.

Enjoying and utilizing his God-given skills, John worked for years providing for his family. He worked as a tool and die maker at Honeywell, helped design pacemaker parts for Medtronics, other medical devices at Eaton, and most recently at Teleflex from where he retired in 2021.

John was a pickup and car guy. His first car was a 1964 Commander Studebaker, which he talked about for many years. He was very mechanically minded and seemed to be able to fix almost anything (which his wife appreciated greatly)! He was always ready to help others with car troubles and machinery of various kinds, and could often be found with grease on his cheeks, under his nails, and wherever he wiped his hands. He also loved working on computers, fixing gun parts, and giving everyone the loooooong version of how to deal with whatever else needed worked on.

John was a friend to many and a good brother in the Lord. “Guy time” was spent having lunch with friends, eating donut(s) while guzzling a cup of coffee, or watching war movies, usually after a long discussion about world issues, prophecy, or whatever he might be working on at the moment. His favorite phrase after eating was “…and now for a nice piece of pie!”

Most important to John, after his love for the Lord, was his family. He and Marti married on April 26, 1980, in Mason City, Iowa, after he nervously begged her father’s permission. One of their very first dates included a motorcycle accident. When Marti was asked by the police officer what her relationship was to the driver, she said she really didn’t know yet; this was only their second date. After suffering many miscarriages, John and Marti were thrilled to be pregnant with triplets (Alyssa, Andrew John, and Ann). John proudly told people they were expecting a liter. Two years later, he became daddy to Aaron. He was an extremely proud dad and loved his wife and children dearly. Later, he became Grandpa, a role he absolutely cherished beyond words.

John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Martha (Marti, nee Grossoehme), daughter Alyssa (Sean) White, daughter Ann, and son, Aaron (Kora). Grandchildren are Andrew (9) and Ellie White (6) and Oliver (5) and Mabel (3) Ackland, siblings Kathy (Art) Kopseng, David, Jeannie (Wayne) Haukaas, Diane Ackland, and Karen Ackland. He loved his many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Edvin and Loretta Ackland, his brother, Donald, infant son, Andrew John, and granddaughter, Thea Eleanor.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 14th, 2023, at 10AM at Calvary Chapel Twin Cities, 9220 Bass Lake Road, Suite 100, New Hope. Visitation one hour prior to the service at church.