A Celebration of Life Service for Ivan Adkins, age 98, of Sherburn, formerly of Jackson, will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Jackson, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering for one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #130 and VFW Post #900. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed on the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Ivan was born on February 21, 1928, in Alpha, Minnesota, to Lester and Mattie (Nielsen) Adkins. Raised on the family farm, Ivan's education concluded at the eighth grade, but his wisdom and life skills grew as he toiled alongside his family, fostering a work ethic that would define him for years to come. A long time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, he was baptized on October 7, 1928, and confirmed on June 20, 1943, solidifying his enduring faith.

Ivan enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1953. He later met the love of his life, Lorraine Onken, and the two were united in marriage on February 20, 1955. This union was blessed with four children: Douglas, Daniel, Jay, and Jill.

In addition to farming, Ivan worked in construction for Donnie Kalbrem and Struebe. He was also employed at Homer Lanning Service Station, Sitzman Service Station, and Bill Dunker's Service Station. Later, he served as a maintenance at Best Western and at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Ivan was deeply involved in his community. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and assisted with release time education through his church and went to Bible study regularly. He was also known for being a dedicated chaperone for the annual Tulip Festival field trip for his daughters' second-grade class.

Ivan found great joy in his hobbies. He especially loved gardening—most notably growing potatoes, but never onions. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting birds, birdhouses, benches, quilt racks, and Hi-Q games. He also spent time doing Artex painting, completing puzzles, and feeding the birds.

Ivan passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Spencer Hospital in Spencer Iowa.

Left to cherish Ivan's memory are his wife of 71 years, Lorraine Adkins; his children, Douglas (Robin) Adkins of Springdale, AR, Daniel (Sandi) Adkins of Jackson, Jay (Victoria) Adkins of Hartley, IA, and Jill (Tim) Tepfer of Spirit Lake, Iowa; his grandchildren, Jeremy Adkins, Gabe Adkins, Katie Hein, Brandy Peterson, Chris Roberts, Madlyn Shade, Caitlyn Cleberg, Sierra Adkins, Derek Melheim, Kaitlyn Beinke, and Jordyn Tepfer; 22 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Marie Lovell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Mattie Adkins; his brother, Vernon (Wanda) Adkins; his sisters, Dorothy (Irvin) Work and Helen (Hank) Janzen; his nephews, Jim Janzen, Craig Brodin, and Terry Neuenschwander; and his brothers-in-law, Roger Lovell, Ivan Dorschner, and Donald Neuenschwander.

Blessed be the memory of Ivan Wayne Adkins.