Bernard Achterhof passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family and friends June 8, 2024. Details regarding visitation at Vandemore Funeral Home are pending. There will be an interment service for family at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. A Celebration of Bernard’s Life for family, friends, and neighbors will be held on July 6th. It will be an Open House 2-5 pm at his home on 101 West Ogden Ave. Parking is available at the high school. The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Society of Geneseo and Promedica Hospice of Davenport for their dedicated care of Bernard in his final years. Remembrance memorials should be directed to them in memory of Bernard.
He was born in Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois on October 19, 1922, to Jacob (Jake) and Harriett (Hattie Ostema) Achterhof. Their family moved to Morrison when he was a young boy and he graduated from Morrison Public Schools in 1940 and then American Institute of Commerce in Davenport. After his schooling he worked for John Deere before entering active duty in 1942. He served in the US Army during WWII with service in the European Theater until 1946. After release from active duty, he earned his pilot’s license with the GI bill.
Coming home from military service, Bernard became a partner with his brother Ray Achterhof in the grocery business in Geneseo. It was on East 1st St just east of the old Farmer’s National Bank. It was the first “supermarket” where shoppers could push their own carts down the aisles and pick out items. Prior to this, shoppers would give a list to the grocer who would gather and pack groceries. It was here that he met the love of his life Ethel Achterhof. They married and had three children.
Bernard was the office manager for Edwards Ready Mix company for several years before becoming the vice president and general manager of Edwards Electrical Construction business. Prior to retirement Bernard finished his working career at Hanford’s Insurance in Geneseo.
He is a member of the Geneseo Presbyterian Church and had been a member of the Geneseo American Legion. He loved his family and, in addition, had two passions -gardening and golf. At an early age he helped his father, who had a greenhouse with a brother-in-law, selling fresh produce house to house. Bernard had large organic vegetable, fruit and flower gardens at his home in Geneseo until his last few years. He was an active ‘scratch’ golfer most of his life on the Geneseo golf courses with many championship wins at individual and team level golfing competitions.
Survivors include his three children, Mary Ellen (Mark) Zirkelbach, Johnston, IA, John (Susie Muir) Achterhof, Los Angeles, CA, and Janice Achterhof, Geneseo, IL.; his three grandchildren: John Alan Zirkelbach, Jane Jensen, and Erin Jackson; and five great-grandchildren: Brock, Izaac, and Chloe Jensen and Malachi and Zea Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings and their spouses: Janet (George) Lartz, Eloise (Ted) Salminen, and Phyliss (John) Weirsema, Raymond (Dorothy) Achterhof and Marvin (Kay) Achterhof; and his wife of 60 years, Ethel (Ogden).