Ray Ackerman
Ray Alfred Ackerman, “Sweat Lodge Eagle,” 60, died Aug. 28, 2023.
He was born in Wolf Point on Aug. 9, 1963, to Wilbert Sr. and Isabelle Ackerman. He had two children from a previous relationship, Jade Ackerman and Buckley Ackerman. Then, he met Carmen Welch. From his time with her, he had three more children, Curtis Bird Hat, Candice Bird Hat and Sloan Follet.
He loved to play pool, basketball, watch TV, have fun and laugh with his friends. He traveled the powwow circuit with Carmen and their family for many years.
He enjoyed visiting with the people that came to the food stand especially the elders. He was a very respected man at those powwows everyone enjoyed talking to him. He was always making his family and friends laugh and smile.
He worked as a wildland firefighter for many years when he was younger. He started laying fiber optic cable in Wolf Point until the job was completed. Then, he worked a construction job with Twin Cloud Construction for many years until he retired.
He is survived by Carmen Welch; children, Jade Heather Ackerman, Buckley Cole Ackerman and Candice Bird Hat; sister, Jewel Ackerman and Wanda Ackerman; brothers, Floyd Ackerman, Sr and Wilbert Ackerman Jr.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Cordelia Ackerman, Florine Ackerman and Annette Ackerman; brothers, Douglas Runs Through and Stanley Ackerman; two stepsons, Curtis Bird Hat and Sloan Follet; and granddaughter, Cailee Skye Bird Hat.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 7, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Frazer. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
