Marie A. Ackley, 95, formerly of Libby

Marie Andera Ackley died Feb. 20, 2014, in Pierre, S.D.

She was born Dec. 19, 1918, near Ola, S.D., the youngest of four children of Frank and Mary (Hrabe) Andera.

She graduated from Chamberlain High School.

Marie married the love of her life, Frederick Ackley, on Sept. 3, 1937. They farmed near Red Lake, S.D., until moving to Geddes, S.D. in 1949.  

Frederick worked on dam construction, which took the family to Fort Pierre, S.D., in 1956, to Montrose, Colo., in 1965 and to Libby in 1967. Traveling with them to Libby were their three youngest of eight children, Marcia, Terry and Penny.

Frederick passed away in October 1975 while working on the Libby Dam. Penny and Marie continued on at the family home until Penny went to college. Marie then moved to Park Apartments and later to the Treasure Manor until 2005 when she moved in with her daughter, Marcia Fantozzi and husband Al at Bull Lake.  

In 2007, Marie moved to Chandler, Ariz., with daughter, Penny.  

Her son, Terry Ackley, and wife, Marcy, and family also lived nearby. This extended Arizona family enjoyed their time together, once again with their mother.

In 2009, Marie moved to the Mary House, a long-term care facility, in Pierre, S.D.  

Marie was an amazing baker. Many of us have enjoyed her chocolate-chip cookies, brownies, cakes, cinnamon rolls and her much-loved monster cookies.

Marie is survived by sons, Jerry (Sharon) Ackley of Geddes, S.D., Fred Ackley, of Colstrip, Pete (Judy) Ackley of Ft. Pierre, S.D.; daughters, Susy Kayser of Pierre, S.D.; Marcia (Al) Fantozzi of Troy, granddaughter Candi Fantozzi and son, Carson, of Missoula; grandson, Tony (Amy) Fantozzi and children, Gabriella, Zachary, Maggie, Claire and Quinn of Libby; grandson, Tory (Megan) Fantozzi, and children, Jaxon and Mason of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Terry (Marcy) Ackley of Phoenix, Ariz., grandson, Jason (Jessica) Ackley, and children, Sophia, Violet and Lydia; granddaughter, Sarah (Greg) Bosworth and son, Colton; Penny (Don) Dodson of Gilbert, Ariz., son-in-law, Floyd Rokusek of Geddes, S.D. Surviving are 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren, and eight step-great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frederick; daughter, Patty Rokusek; an infant grandson, Fantozzi; sisters, Alvena Keiner, Rose Yankee and brother, Francis Andera.

A rosary was at the Hickey Funeral Home in Chamberlain, S.D., on Feb. 24.

Funeral Mass was at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, S.D. on Tuesday Feb. 25, 2014.

Funeral was arranged by Hickey Funeral Home, Chamberlain, S.D.

A Memorial service with interment will be held at the Libby Cemetery on July 12, 2014.