Payton Lorrainne Ackerson

Payton Lorrainne Ackerson, 16, went to her heavenly home after an ebike accident surrounded by her family and her boyfriend Hudson and his family. She succumed to her injuries in the early morning hours of Sept. 6, 2026 at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Even though she may be gone physically, her memory will always be with us. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clarks with Father Stan Schmidt officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 11 from 5-7 p.m. at the church with a 7 p.m. rosary. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery near Clarks.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Grand Island Humane Society in Payton’s name, or to consider adopting a pet from there. Those donations can be delivered to Pinnacle Bank in Central City, or Hans Service in Clarks. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.
Payton was born at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island on April 26, 2010. She was a sophomore at High Plains Community Schools in Polk, Nebraska where she made an impact on everyone through friendships and athletics. 
Payton was always a sweet, loving, spunky, silly, beautiful girl. We will miss our spaghetti loving, messy roomed, Megan Moroney loving, easy to embarrass, Paytie bug who showed unconditional love through her contagious smile, silly laugh, and her huge bear hugs. She has always had such a good heart and cared for everyone so deeply. Payton was the proud aunt to Raelynn Lou. She was so excited to be an aunt. She couldn’t wait to show her off at her volleyball games. She loved cuddling with her cats, Willow and Nala, and her dogs Hazel and Gemma. Some of her favorite things were going out and driving around with her friends while listening to her music VERY loudly. She loved to do her hair, make-up and nails. If she wasn’t at school or at practice, Payton was constantly doing crafts, listening to sad songs, and watching sappy movies, and watching TikToks. Payton’s greatest love was her boyfriend, Hudson. They were constantly Face-Timing and spending weekends together shopping, fishing, and lounging around the house. 
She enjoyed pestering her two older sisters, and her love of being with family. She loved spending time with her grandparents whether it was riding four-wheelers out on the river or having water gun fights in the backyard or with her cousins at her uncles’ lake houses. Being the youngest sister, Payton was “forced” to attend her older sisters, Emily and Rylee’s many activities. She was always their biggest fan and cheerleader. They were Payton’s role models and she wanted to be just like them.
When Payton was old enough to start competing in athletics and activities, she began to have her own set of friends and her true self and personality started to blossom. Payton was a very talented athlete whether it was on the softball field or on the volleyball and basketball courts. She was also a very gifted track athlete where she competed in jumps and sprints. Payton’s love for her teammates was one of her strongest attributes. 
Payton’s selflessness and kind heart were always on display. She cared deeply for her friends and family. She was always willing to help anyone with anything they needed. Her impact on others has shown with the love and support her family has received since her passing.
“We didn’t know we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.” - Winnie the Pooh
Payton was preceded in death by Lonnie John “Papa.” Payton was survived by her parents, Chad and Erin (John) Ackerson; her sister Emily and Andrew Timmons, and niece Raelynn Lou; her sister Rylee Ackerson; Connie John “Grandma John”; Uncle Adam and Jolene John with cousins Madison, Maly, Lauryn, Ellie, and Annaston; Bobbi and Denny Ackerson “Granny and Grandpa”; Uncle Brian and Amber Ackerson with cousins Aubrey and Brennan.