Harold Fern Akers

Doris Irene Akers 79 and Harold Fern Akers 82 passed away from a tragic car accident on September 27, 2013. Harold F. Akers, son of Harold Lincoln and Sarah Elizabeth (Martin) Akers was one of five children. Harold was born May 5, 1931 near Exira, Iowa. He attended rural schools and graduated from Exira High School in 1949. After graduation Harold was employed by Green Bay Lumber Co. in Atlantic from 1949 until 1951, and then was employed with Green Bay Lumber in Exira until 1957. Harold served as Audubon County Supervisor for 20 years and was on many other boards over the years until he retired in 2000. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard, 34th Division from 1948 until 1957. He was also a member of the Brayton American Legion Post 350. Doris Hutchins, daughter of Jack and Hazel (Knox) Hutchins, was born near Adair, Iowa on November 5, 1933. She attended grade school in Guthrie and Audubon counties. She graduated from Exira High School in 1951. Doris worked at various jobs over the years. She was a cook (boy was she) and Dietary Supervisor at the Anita Nursing Home for 7 years. She was a bookkeeper at Exira Farm Supply for 15 years. She was the Secretary for the Exira Christian Church and also worked at the Exira Library. She was a busy and happy homemaker raising the kids and making sure the men got their lunches in the fields. Harold and Doris were happily married on February 23, 1952 and were members of the Exira Christian Church for many years. Gardening was a passion for both of them which produced an abundant crop from the rich black Iowa soil. They lived in Exira until 1957, then moved to Oakfield, Iowa where they farmed for fourteen years. They took a leap and purchased “THE FARM” as we all know it, east of Brayton in 1970. They raised hogs, sheep, cattle and chickens and had successful crops of corn and soybeans. Most precious to them was raising their children, daughter Kristi arrived Oct 30, 1952. Michael was born two years later in August 15, 1954 and Todd May 11, 1963. Harold and Doris loved to travel, enjoyed garage sales, fishing, mushroom hunting, card games, local community events and most of all spending time with their family and friends. Harold and Doris were inseparable from the day they met and will continue to be “Together Forever”. Preceding Harold in death were his parents; his brothers: Norman Akers and Larry Akers; and his sister-in-law Eva Mae Akers. Preceding Doris in death were her parents; her brother Leslie Dean Hutchins; her sister Lucile and husband Alfred Baier; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Kathy Hutchins; JoAnn Hutchins; and George Oakley. Harold and Doris are survived by her children: Kristi and husband Jerry McClain of Exira, Iowa; Michael and wife Lori Akers of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Todd and wife Angel Akers of Colorado Springs; their grandchildren: Cheyenne McClain of Shenandoah, Iowa; Bridy and husband Chad Shepard of Ankeny, Iowa; Shawn McClain of West Des Moines, Iowa; Brent Akers of Reno, Nevada; Cleary Akers of Napa, California; Cole Akers of Greeley, Colorado; Brooke and husband Scott Wright of Santa Maria, California; Kyle Akers of Colorado Springs; their great grandchildren: Owen, Evan, and Madison Shepard of Ankeny; Delilah Henderson of Phoenix, Arizona; Bradley Wright of Santa Maria. Harold is also survived by his brother Nyle Akers of Exira; his sister Lana and husband Rich Boggs of Guthrie Center, Iowa; his sister-in-law Myrna Akers of Exira. Doris is also survived by her brothers and sister: Lois Oakley of Audubon; Frank Hutchins of Norwalk, Iowa; C.W. “Bill” and wife Marlene Hutchins of Apache Junction, Arizona; Gary and wife Rhonda Hutchins of Roswell, New Mexico; her sister in law Carma Hutchins of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be Thursday, October 3, 2013, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.