Illona (Ilus) Ackerman

Ilus was born in a small Hungarian community subsequently spending most of her childhood and teenage years in Budapest. For seven years she attended the Budapest Music Academy, piano division; the Sacre Coeur French Academy for six years and Jasik Almos Art Institute training as a dress designer. In 1931 she married Jack Szanto Ackerman, general surgeon and gynecologist, returning with him to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There she participated in many community activities, including Organization for the Rehabilitation and Training (ORT), Junior Service Club, PTA, Hadassah, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women, Women’s Welfare Board, Jewish National Fund Council, National Council for Cancer Research, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, as well as auxiliaries of Mt. Sinai Hospital, the American Medical Association, Layton Art Institute, the Milwaukee Jewish Center and the Jewish Old Home. After designing and then building both the first and then the second family home, she enrolled in 1951 in the Layton School of Art and Design culminating in her private practice, for many years, in domestic and commercial Interior Design.

In 1991 she moved to Santa Barbara and for the past five years resided at Vista del Monte Health Center. A most generous, loving, dedicated, talented and full of fun person, she now is survived by her son, John M. Ackerman, M.D. and daughter-in-law Ruth W. Ackerman, Ph.D., LCSW; grandchildren: Dara and David Ackerman; great-grandchildren: Amalia and Moses Ackerman; nieces: Eva Hegedus and Dahlia Goldstein. Donations can be sent to: Congregation B’nai Brith of Santa Barbara: 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, California 93117. Funeral and memorial services will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.