Karen Lee Towle Ackermann

Karen was born in Exeter, New Hampshire on August 21, 1957. She was the eldest child of Laird and Marlene Towle. She graduated from Bowie Senior High and proceeded to the University of Maryland and earned a BS in animal science. After working for several years at a dairy in Pennsylvania she and then husband Nick Ackermann returned home to Maryland. Karen worked in the family publishing business, Heritage Books, Inc. until it was sold then moved to Roman-Littlefield where she was a Senior Editor.

While working at Heritage Books, she returned to the University of Maryland and earned her master’s degree in history. Karen also taught history at Prince George’s Community College for several semesters.

Karen was an avid reader, gardener, and cyclist. She enjoyed being outside and taking photographs which she submitted to the Bowie-Crofton Camera Club taking many first place awards. She was very involved with the South Bowie Readers, leading the group for a few years. She loved cats and is survived by Eddie and Callie. She developed a love of jigsaw puzzles while doing puzzles with her father, Laird. She also enjoyed stitchery crafts with her mother, Marlene. She enjoyed taking extended bicycling tours.

Karen is survived by her parents Laird and Marlene Towle, brother Glenn Towle, sister Leslie Wolfinger, sister-in-law Kim Towle. She is also survived by nephews Finnian Towle, Brandon and Shawn Wolfinger; nieces Stacey Orndorff, Angela, Amber and Desere Wolfinger. She also had one grandniece Michaela Stephenson.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either of the charities listed below. They were Karen’s choices.

Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203

Rails to Trails conservancy, 22121 Ward Ct, NW, 5^th floor, Washington, D.C. 20037