Atkinson, Vesta 1881-1961

ATKINSON, CLARK, KIRKLAND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/3/2010 at 13:02:01

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) June 12, 1961

VESTA ATKINSON, PROMINENT LOCAL TEACHER DIES

Mrs. Vesta Atkinson, 80, Grinnell, a longtime teacher in the local school system, died Saturday at a hospital in Hinsdale, Ill., where she had been a patient for the past three weeks.

She had been visiting her son, Ralph, at Western Springs, Ill., when she was taken ill.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the James-Schalinske Funeral Home with Dr. G.S. Bruland, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Organ music will be by Mrs. Kathleen Heffner.

Pallbearers will be Edd Phillips, Croft Pilgrim, Ed McNally, C.M. Pilgrim, James McNally, and Donovan Evans. Interment will be in the cemetery at Hampton.

The daughter of Joseph and Mary Clark Kirkland, she was born on May 13th, 1881, at Ewart. She attended the Ewart schools and on finishing went to Grinnell high school, graduating in 1898. She taught for four and one half years in rural schools and the Ewart schools.

In 1904 she was married to Ralph R. Atkinson of Hampton and one son, Ralph R., was born to this union. In 1911 Mr. Atkinson died and she resumed teaching. For several years she taught in the county schools, then in 1918 came to the Grinnell school system where she taught for 30 years until retiring in 1948.

She was a member of the Methodist church from childhood. At Ewart she was active in the Sunday School and Epworth League and also taught in church school at Grinnell. She was a charter member of the W.S.C.S. and also a life member of the Eastern Star, and belonged to the D.A.R. and the D.A.C.

Survivors include her son, his wife Kathryn, and two grandsons, Robert and Thomas Atkinson. Also surviving are a number of cousins and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and her husband.