1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P

Herbert J. Akins, Sr., age 95, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. He was born on September 20, 1913 in Excelsior, MN to Fred and Estelle (Cynbackowsky) Akins. He was married to Angela Deyak on January 15, 1934. They were married for 74 years. Herb will be remembered for his blasting expertise on jobs from Northern Minnesota to Utah and Wyoming, to Tecopilla Chile, South America and back to Minnesota. In his retirement he recalled the events of his life that brought him to his love of blasting in "Rock Mechanics and the Art of Blasting" a manual published in 1999. He was a hunter and fisherman until eyesight problems made that passion no longer feasible. He was proud of his garden and always had an overabundance to share with family and friends.
He is survived by his two sons, Herbert (Dorothy) Akins, Jr. of Hoyt Lakes, and Frank (Josephine) Akins of Ely; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his "little girl" Sheppie III.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Angela; sister, Helen Klun; and brother, John Akins.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial service on Friday, February 6, 2009 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ely. Monsignor Bernard Popesh will celebrate. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery in the spring.
Family services are provided by Kerntz Brothers, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To leave a personal remembrance of Herb on-line, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Facts

Born: September 20, 1913
Place of Birth: Excelsior, MN
Death: February 3, 2009
Place of Death: Ely, MN