May 26, 1919 — Aug. 31, 2008

Clarice Olena Akerson, 89, of Salem, died Aug. 31. In a simple and profound way, she lived in thanks to God. She was born May 26, 1919, near Big Sandy, Mont., to Norwegian immigrants Andrew and Mary Boe Westwick. They died at ages 84 and 86, respectively. She had one brother, Orwin Westwick, who was four years older and preceded her in death. She married Stanley Oscar Akerson on April 14, 1943. They were together over 48 years by the time of his death in 1991. They lived in Easton, Wash., Salem and Corvallis.

Clarice was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis for 40 years. She found great joy singing in the church choir for more than 30 years. She served on the church council and participated in fellowship groups through the years. Clarice was a homemaker and a public school teacher. She worked with children in elementary and special education settings for more than 35 years. She found personal rewards in helping children learn to read and gain tools for learning.

In retirement, Clarice prepared “Animal News Breaks” for the children of Oregon School for the Blind and Salem Academy. She found interesting facts and story-lines about the animals she had read about in local newspapers, and accompanied by appropriate stuffed animals, brought those stories to life for her listeners. Eventually, she brought her news breaks to the elderly, as well.

Clarice is survived by two children. Her daughter, Janice, with husband John Wells of Jefferson, has three married children including Justin and Tami Wells, Jamie and Ryan Baker, and Joshua and Rebecca Wells. Her son James with wife Emily Åkerson, of Harrisonburg, Va., has two children, Lars and Nels. By the time of her death, Clarice had seven great-grandchildren.

Her family would like to thank the staffs of Brookstone Memory Care and Meadow Creek Village, both in Salem. Their care was able and loving.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial St. S.E., in Salem. Viewings will be open at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service on Saturday, Sept. 6, during the hours of 1 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1770 Baxter Road S.E., Salem. Clarice will be buried with her husband, Stanley, in Willamette National Cemetery of Portland.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to either Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Pkwy., Charlotte, NC, 28201 or to Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, 1410 S.W. Morrison St., Suite 760, Portland, OR, 97205 (in cooperation with the Oregon School for the Blind).