Barbara “Barb” Ellen Aker, 85, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Fountain Springs Healthcare.

Barb was born September 9, 1940, in Hot Springs, South Dakota. She was the oldest child of Robert and Alta (Strong) Dryden. She graduated from Oelrichs High School and went on to earn her Certificate in Secretarial Studies. She began her career with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, where she worked for several years before choosing to devote herself full‑time to raising her children. Once they were older, she returned to the workforce with Telephone Interconnectors.

Barb also dedicated more than 25 years of volunteer service to the Dakota Star Credit Union, where she served as a board member and as Chair of the Supervisory Board for portions of that time. She spent many years volunteering with the Girl Scouts, the school PTA, and local baseball leagues in support of her children’s activities.

Outside of her community involvement, Barb enjoyed bowling, gardening, word search books, puzzles, and—above all—spending time with her grandchildren.

In 1960, Barb married Conrad Foreman in Oelrichs. They shared 27 years of marriage until Conrad’s passing in 1987. In 1988, she married Dean Aker in Rapid City, and they were married for 21 years until Dean’s passing in 2010.

Barb is survived by her children: Richard Foreman of Tucson, Arizona; Kimberly Stoll of Puyallup, Washington; Brett (Karen) Foreman of Rapid City; Glenda Halter of Reston, Virginia; Randy (Anita) Aker of Rapid City; Kathy (Blake) Barringer of Pierre; Bill (Lana) Aker of Rapid City; Carol Aker of Rapid City; and Laurie (Greg) Nelson of Rapid City.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Heather Hankins of Powder Springs, Georgia; Brandy (Jaron) Foreman‑Brookman of Rapid City; Alex (Trevor) Mazzola of Rapid City; Brady Foreman of Rapid City; Kaitlyn (Nathan) Hoppenrath of Lynnwood, Washington; Justin Stoll of Scottsdale, Arizona; Sarah Foreman of Tucson, Arizona; and Trevor Rutan of Rapid City; along with numerous bonus grandchildren and great‑grandchildren who brought her great joy.

Barb is also survived by her brother Tom (Nancy) Dryden of Tucson, Arizona.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Conrad Foreman; her second husband, Dean Aker; her sister, Sherrill Dryden; her brother, Dan Dryden; and her beloved dog, Bella.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church. Barbara will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery.