Judith O. Akland was born December 27, 1921 near Freeman, SD to parents Oscar and Pauline (Jorstad) Wek. She passed away on May 20, 2014 at Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford at the age of 92 years. Judith graduated from Viborg High School in 1939 and earned her teaching certificate from Freeman College. She taught in rural schools for five years. She married Melvin Akland on August 7, 1946. The couple made their home on the farm in rural Alcester. Melvin passed away in 1997 and Judith continued to live on the farm until 2001 when she moved into Beresford where she has resided until the present time. Judith was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was currently a member of Roseni Lutheran Church. Church was an important part of Judith's life. She was active in many roles, including WELCA, Mission Society, quilting group and as a Sunday School teacher. She also enjoyed reading, word puzzles, gardening, planting trees with Melvin, doing devotions and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Lawrence, and two sisters, Evelyn Erickson and Gladys Zulk. She is survived by 5 children, Richard (Brenda) Akland, Alcester, Ordell (Pauline) Akland, Yankton, Lois (Richard) Howard, Sioux Falls, Gayle (Dirk) Van Osdol, Marquette, MI and Craig (Ann) Akland, Beresford; 19 grandchildren, Amy (Jim) Claussen, Minneapolis, MN, Laura (Traig) Friedrich, Spearfish, Jill (Aaron) Norman, Sioux Falls, Megan (Tony) Ratzsch, Spearfish, Katie (Jeff) Hilfiker, Eagle, NE, Kara Akland, Denton, TX, Max Pleiss, Yankton, SD, Anthony (Chelsey) Pleiss, Omaha, NE, Tom (Katie) Howard, Edmond, OK, Rachel (Brent) Skaw, Bloomington, MN, Ross Larson, Greg Larson, Jill Van Osdol, Luke Van Osdol, Brita Van Osdol and Greta Van Osdol all of Marquette, MI, and Michael (Amber) Akland, Leah Akland (fiancé Anthony Greene) and Melissa Akland all of Beresford; 14 great grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor Gevik, Sioux Falls and Audrey (Duane) Bork, Jacksonville, FL; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Friday, May 23 at Roseni Lutheran Church, rural Beresford, with burial to follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.