Elizabeth M. Ackerley

Elizabeth (Betty) Fernandes Ackerley, 96, recently of Red Cloud, Nebraska, died surrounded by family on Friday, June 16, 2023, at her son’s home in Aurora, CO. 

Mrs. Ackerley was born July 22, 1926, in Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii to Manuel & Emily Sousa Fernandes.  She was baptized at The Sacred Hearts Church in Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii on July 25, 1926, and remained steadfast in her Catholic faith for her lifetime.  She was the youngest of eight children.  She earned a Secretarial Certificate from the EJ Galusha School of Business Training at Honolulu, Hawaii in 1947. She met the love of her life, James (Jimmy) Carl Ackerley while he was stationed in Hawaii during World War II.  They married in the Church of St. Theresa in Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii on May 22, 1948.  

Betty & Jimmy moved to Torrington, Wyoming to be near Jimmy’s family after Jimmy was discharged from the US Air Force.  Betty’s parents soon joined them in Torrington.  While living in Torrington, Betty & Jimmy had two children, Betty Jean (Jeannie) born 1951 and James William (Bill) born 1953. 

Betty & Jimmy moved their family to the Denver, CO area in 1958.  Betty was a homemaker during the early years of their marriage and Jimmy worked at Butternut Bakery.  During their loving 40 year marriage, they ran numerous businesses together, including 2 full service, Conoco Stations, vending machines and paper routes. They enjoyed their empty nester years by boating, camping & traveling.  In the late 1970’s they built their dream retirement home on 35 acres in Peyton, CO and raised horses, cows, pigs & geese.  They had many friends in Peyton and were always entertaining.  You could always count on Betty cooking a big Sunday dinner with cookies for dessert. They resided there until Jimmy’s death in 1988.  The road leading to their house was renamed Ackerley Heights in honor of Jimmy and Betty.

After Jimmy’s death, Betty lived with her sister Katie, in Aurora, CO where she reconnected with some lifelong friends and attended St Pius X Church.  After Katie’s death in 1996, she lived with her son before relocating in 1997 to Red Cloud, Nebraska to be near her daughter.  Betty made many friends in Red Cloud and was very active in the “Betty Club” and sang in a choir.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  The family is forever grateful to Father Paul Frank for his Friday visits to Betty so she could receive the sacred rites of Communion these last few years.

Betty was lovingly looked after by her daughter Betty Jean and husband Calvin for 26 years until Betty Jean’s unexpected death in April 2023.  Betty moved back to Aurora, CO and was living with her son, Bill and wife Sandy before her death from natural causes.  Betty was a generous, kind, loving soul. She found peace and joined her loved ones in Heaven as promised by her faith in Jesus. Amen

Mrs. Ackerley was preceded in death by her husband, James Carl Ackerley, her daughter, Betty Jean Kugler, her parents, siblings, in-laws and other family members.

Mrs. Ackerley is survived by her son, Bill (Sandy), their 2 children & 4 grandchildren, Jodi (Chris) Tillson & Jason (Kendra) Ackerley, Kyle Tillson (Lacey) & Ryan Tillson, Jayden Ackerley & Myah Ackerley; Son in Law Calvin Kugler, his and Betty Jean’s 3 children & 2 grandchildren, Karmen Kelsay (Dustin), Melissa Kugler (Phillip) & Chad Kugler (Will), Nichollas Guerrieri (Kelly) & Tyler Guerrieri (Kaitlyn) and many other family members & friends.

A Rosary will be held in the Chapel at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 E Dartmouth Ave, Aurora, CO 80014 on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.  All are welcome.

Mrs. Ackerley will be buried with her husband in a private ceremony at Ft Logan National Cemetery, at a later date.