Rosa H. (Sanford) Ackerman, age 88 of South Amana, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, following a sudden illness. Funeral Services: 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 17, 2009, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Rev. Dianna Buswell officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Marengo, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday, January 16, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Meadow Hill Christian Fellowship Church, Homestead, Iowa.

Rosa is survived by her husband Harry; step-children, Peg Roemig and husband Les of Middle, Les Ackerman and wife Linda of South Amana, and Wendy Ziegler and husband Eckhard of Iowa City; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Dale Noyes of Victor and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rosa was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Jane Noyes and Lillian Simmons, a brother in infancy and her first husband of 38 years, Boyd “Doc” Sanford.

Rosa Harriet Furlong was born March 25, 1920 in Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of James and Lydia Meier Furlong. She graduated from Marengo High School in 1937 and received a business degree from AIB in Davenport. She was employed by the State of Iowa, Department of Taxation, for many years, retiring in 1985. Rosa married Dr. Boyd Sanford in 1941 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Marengo. He died in 1972. She married Harry R. Ackerman on October 22, 1991 in Middle Amana. She has resided in South Amana for the past 18 years. Rosa shared a passion for bird watching and beautiful flowers, and loved to read and keep up with current events. She was a member of the Marengo American Legion Auxiliary and the Iowa County Historical Society.