Obituary of Pearl Maxine Aakhus

Pearl (Mickey) Aakhus, age 96, passed away February 17th in Duluth, Minnesota. She was an avid reader and her conversations would always lead to the books she was reading. She aspired as a young woman to be an English major. This was not to happen with the advent of World War II. She left for Washington DC to serve her country during World War II working for the government, decoding Japanese messages. 

Returning to Minnesota after the war, she started working at the hospital in Bigfork where she met Bud (Ralph) Aakhus. Having met other young men, all it took was a turn on the dance floor and she knew he was the one. After raising four children, she decided to go back to school in Hibbing. Again, wanting to serve others, she went into nursing and eventually became the director of the nursing home attached to the hospital in Bigfork.

She and Bud where longtime members of Effie Lutheran Church, a family-oriented community of music, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as other community organizations. Upon Retiring, she and Bud decided to find a place where it was warmer so they purchased a trailer the size of a home and hit the road pulling it behind their burgundy Crown Victoria. After Bud jack-knifed it on the freeway in Phoenix, Arizona, they left the gypsy life behind and settled for 30 winters in East Mesa. They had a rich life as snowbirds traveling between Minnesota and Arizona. 

This smart woman with an ironic sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who loved her. She follows her husband Ralph (Bud) Aakhus, her parents Gladys (Schue) and Frank Grundmeier and brother Richard Grundmeier.

She is survived by her brother Raymond Grundmeier, her four children: Cathy Neva, Michael Aakhus, James Aakhus, and Ralph Aakhus as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, July 22nd at Effie Fredheim Lutheran Church, at 11:00 a.m.