Lynn Martha Akerhielm

Lynn Akerhielm, of Castle Hayne, NC and Carmel, IN passed away May 8, 2026 after a spirited 3 1/2 year fight against cancer. Never once did she complain.

Lynn was born October 20, 1959 in Aberdeen, Maryland to David & Carolyn (Ashbaucher) Bigler. A proud third-generation Purdue Boilermaker, she met her future husband, David Robert Akerhielm on her fourth day of classes at Purdue.

After earning an Associates Degree in Industrial Illustration Technology at Purdue, she attended Ball State University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.

Lynn is survived by her husband Rob Akerhielm; daughters Bethany (John) Allison and Valerie Akerhielm; her parents, Dave & Carolyn Bigler; her sister, Liz Bigler; and, many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Lynn was a friend to many across a wide swath. She was the life, or A life, of many a party and was a wonderful “Team Mom” for several club volleyball teams her daughters played on (Townley, you owe another $20).

She loved libraries, Purdue basketball, Purdue football tailgates, her book clubs, family beach vacations and vacations with her “Cabettes”, those lively Carmel girlfriends who traveled to Cabo San Lucas and other areas.

To honor Lynn’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please take a friend out tell them the things you like so much about them before they are gone. Or, host a happy hour, send someone a handwritten note, read a good book, take a walk on the beach……or anywhere else. Perform a random act of kindness. Give someone flowers. Send a handwritten note. Share a smile. Do a good deed.

For memorials, become a Friend of your favorite local Library by making a donation to its Friends group or to the library itself.

Arrangements are being made to have a Celebration of Life service and post-service gathering, in Carmel, IN sometime in June.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak but God remains the strength of my heart, He is mine forever.

~ Psalm 73:26

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

~Joshua 1:9

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

~Isaiah 41:10