The Viroqua and Vernon County communities are mourning the loss of Raymond J. Ackman, a 74-year-old farmer who died following a grain bin accident on September 1, 2026.
Ackman was working at a farm on Cherry Grove Road in the Town of Viroqua when he became trapped beneath shelled corn inside a grain bin.
The Vernon County Sheriff's Office said emergency crews were called shortly before 12:30 p.m. after receiving a report that the farm owner was possibly trapped inside the bin.
What Happened to Raymond J. Ackman?
According to authorities, Ackman was involved in the unloading of shelled corn from a grain bin when the grain became caked or “bridged.”
The condition prevented the corn from flowing normally into the unloading auger. Ackman entered the bin in an effort to help get the grain moving.
While he was inside, the grain collapsed and trapped him beneath a large quantity of corn.
Emergency responders launched an extensive rescue operation. Ackman was eventually located and freed from the grain, but authorities said he died at the scene.
Emergency Response to the Grain Bin Accident
The rescue brought together numerous emergency agencies from Vernon County and surrounding communities.
Responding agencies included the Viroqua Fire Department, Viroqua Emergency Medical Responders, Westby-Christiana Fire Department, La Farge Fire Department, Cashton Fire Department, Coon Valley Fire Department, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, GundersenAIR and Vernon County Emergency Management, along with the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and numerous volunteers.
According to the sheriff's office, the first emergency unit arrived within approximately five minutes of the initial call.
The extensive response reflected the difficulty and urgency of rescuing someone trapped beneath large quantities of grain.
Raymond J. Ackman Remembered
Raymond J. Ackman's death has left a community dealing with the sudden loss of a 74-year-old farmer.
His death occurred during what began as a routine agricultural task—unloading shelled corn—but quickly became a life-threatening emergency.
For those who knew Ackman, the tragedy represents the loss of a member of the local farming community and a person whose life was connected to the Viroqua area.
His loved ones are now left to remember his life while coping with the circumstances surrounding his unexpected death.
Grain Bin Safety Concerns
Grain bins can present serious hazards, particularly when grain becomes compacted or forms a bridge above an unloading point.
In Ackman's case, authorities said he entered the bin after the grain had caked or bridged, and the subsequent collapse trapped him beneath the corn.
The accident serves as another reminder of the dangers agricultural workers can face when dealing with stored grain and unloading equipment.
Community Response
The emergency response involved not only professional first responders but also volunteers and neighbors who assisted at the scene.
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Coroner Betty Nigh reported the fatal incident and recognized the extensive response from emergency agencies and community members.
The tragedy has resonated particularly strongly in a rural community where farming remains an important part of everyday life.
Cause and Circumstances of Death
The circumstances of Ackman's death have been publicly described as a fatal grain bin accident.
Authorities said the immediate sequence involved bridged or caked shelled corn, Ackman's entry into the grain bin to help restore the flow of corn, and a subsequent collapse that buried him.
There is no indication in the reports reviewed of criminal activity or foul play. The incident is being treated as a farm-related accident.
Funeral and Memorial Information
At the time of this report, verified funeral or memorial arrangements for Raymond J. Ackman have not been included in the law-enforcement reports reviewed.
Any information about visitation, funeral services or memorial gatherings should be confirmed through the family or an official obituary before publication.
A Life Cut Short by a Farm Tragedy
Raymond J. Ackman's death on September 1 brought a sudden end to the life of a 74-year-old Viroqua-area farmer.
For the community, the tragedy is also a reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can accompany agricultural work. What began as an attempt to clear a grain flow became a fatal emergency despite the rapid arrival and extensive efforts of rescuers.
As family, friends and members of the local farming community mourn, Ackman will be remembered as a member of the Viroqua-area agricultural community whose life ended in a devastating grain bin accident.
