Lee Ackerman passed away in February 2008. She attended Pierre Public Schools through high school and attained her undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in 1965. Lee excelled in academics and received awards and high honors in those pursuits including Student Senate, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Phi Beta Kappa, Mortarboard, Phi Sigma Iota and graduating Magna Cum Laude. She then attended the University of Oklahoma where she studied toward a doctorate degree in the history of science.

Lee was an excellent seamstress and helped work her way through her Oklahoma studies with employment by Nieman Marcus Company. She also began working for the Internal Revenue Service while in Oklahoma. She moved to the Washington D.C. area to continue that work and retired from the IRS in 2007 after 28 years of service.

Lee was actively involved in her communities. While living in Herndon, Reston and finally Alexandria, VA., she served on the board of directors of all her homeowners associations. A lover of the arts, she helped with fundraising for public television. Lee enjoyed travel, collecting, political discussions and joking. She had a hearty laugh and a good sense of humor.

Memorials may be directed to the Pierre Educational Foundation to benefit the Riggs High School debate team. Memorials may be mailed to PEF, PO Box 94, Pierre, SD 57501.