Helen M. C. Ackerman
June 7, 1919-January 6, 2010
Rogers, Arkansas
Helen Montgomery Cunningham Ackerman, 90, went to Heaven January 6, 2010. She was
born June 7, 1919, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Ella May and Lantz Montgomery.
She married Earl Logan Cunningham in 1936. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and she
worked for J. C. Penney. In 1972 they both managed the Dodge City Western Inn for their
son, Larry, until their retirement to the Rogers community in 1979. Helen and Earl both enjoyed
golfing, boating and other sports. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together before he
passed away in 1987.
In October, 1988 she married Frank Ackerman whom she met in her Sunday School Class. He
was very supportive of her and she enjoyed traveling with him to Niagara Falls, North West
Rockies, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and England. Frank passed away in 2003.
Dr. Roy Key and Evelyn were neighbors of Helen’s. Through their influence she joined the First
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1980. She was very active in her church and dearly
loved her church family. Helen was responsible for greeters for the early service for six years
and did T.L.C. work continually. She
was involved in various Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, visiting the sick and shutins, C.W.F. and
was responsible for writing articles about the Disciples Sunday School Class for the church
Newsletter.
Helen was a member of Beta Sigma Phi (Theta Masters Chapter). Their annual project was
selling pecans and they were able to support 23 or more charities in the Rogers area.
Helen was very supportive of her family. Her daughter stayed with her in her reclining years
and was a great comfort to her. They were able to travel and do other activities together. Helen
was also very close to her daughter-in-law, Joleen Fischer. She was very proud of her
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her prayers are to see each
and every member of her family in Heaven!
Preceding her in death were her son, Larry Cunningham and husbands Earl Logan Cunningham
and Frank Ackerman.
Survivors include her daughter, Beverly Cunningham, Rogers; daughter-in-law, Joleen Fischer
of Leawood, Ks; her sister, Mildred Flaherty, Gage, Ok, sister-in-law, LaVona Montgomery of
Las Vegas, Nv.; Six grandchildren: Stephen Hofer, Tulsa, Ok; Suzzanne Ahmann, Greeley, Co;
Craig Cunningham, Leawood, Ks; Bill Cunningham, Dodge City, Ks; Kevin Cunningham, Ora
Valley, Az; and Tami Smith, Overland Park, Ks.; 14 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great
grandchildren.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 13th and
Oak, Rogers, on Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Shawn Wallace officiating. The
family request memorials be sent to the First Christian Church and designated for MRGCC
(Mary Ruth Garner Children’s Center.)
born June 7, 1919, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Ella May and Lantz Montgomery.
She married Earl Logan Cunningham in 1936. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and she
worked for J. C. Penney. In 1972 they both managed the Dodge City Western Inn for their
son, Larry, until their retirement to the Rogers community in 1979. Helen and Earl both enjoyed
golfing, boating and other sports. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together before he
passed away in 1987.
In October, 1988 she married Frank Ackerman whom she met in her Sunday School Class. He
was very supportive of her and she enjoyed traveling with him to Niagara Falls, North West
Rockies, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and England. Frank passed away in 2003.
Dr. Roy Key and Evelyn were neighbors of Helen’s. Through their influence she joined the First
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1980. She was very active in her church and dearly
loved her church family. Helen was responsible for greeters for the early service for six years
and did T.L.C. work continually. She
was involved in various Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, visiting the sick and shutins, C.W.F. and
was responsible for writing articles about the Disciples Sunday School Class for the church
Newsletter.
Helen was a member of Beta Sigma Phi (Theta Masters Chapter). Their annual project was
selling pecans and they were able to support 23 or more charities in the Rogers area.
Helen was very supportive of her family. Her daughter stayed with her in her reclining years
and was a great comfort to her. They were able to travel and do other activities together. Helen
was also very close to her daughter-in-law, Joleen Fischer. She was very proud of her
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her prayers are to see each
and every member of her family in Heaven!
Preceding her in death were her son, Larry Cunningham and husbands Earl Logan Cunningham
and Frank Ackerman.
Survivors include her daughter, Beverly Cunningham, Rogers; daughter-in-law, Joleen Fischer
of Leawood, Ks; her sister, Mildred Flaherty, Gage, Ok, sister-in-law, LaVona Montgomery of
Las Vegas, Nv.; Six grandchildren: Stephen Hofer, Tulsa, Ok; Suzzanne Ahmann, Greeley, Co;
Craig Cunningham, Leawood, Ks; Bill Cunningham, Dodge City, Ks; Kevin Cunningham, Ora
Valley, Az; and Tami Smith, Overland Park, Ks.; 14 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great
grandchildren.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 13th and
Oak, Rogers, on Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Shawn Wallace officiating. The
family request memorials be sent to the First Christian Church and designated for MRGCC
(Mary Ruth Garner Children’s Center.)
