Donald G. "Don" Atkinson (1929-2002)

ATKINSON, SCOURICK, OLSON, GIBBONS, GAYMAN, STEAR, BEHREND, BOWMAN, BARKUS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/19/2008 at 22:52:05

Nevada Journal, Nevada, Story County, Iowa, June 14, 2002.

July 19, 1929, to June 4, 2002

Donald G. "Don" Atkinson, 72, of Maquoketa and formerly of Nevada, died Tuesday, June 4, at his home in Maquoketa.

He was born on July 19, 1929, in Nevada to Wyatt Atkinson and Lucille Scourick. He was a 1948 graduate of Nevada High School. He married Ethel Maxine Olson on Sept. 4, 1948, in Nashua. She preceded him in death in November of 1964. He married Gloria Gibbons in 1965 in Nevada. He first farmed in the Nevada area. Then he worked as a police officer for the City of Nevada from 1955 to 1966. In 1966, he relocated to Maquoketa and became a district manager for Vigortone of Cedar Rapids, retiring in 1986.

He was a Mason and Shriner and a member of the Masonic Helion Lodge #36 AF & AM of Maquoketa. He was also a former member of the Maquoketa Bowling League and had been an active 4-H leader in Nevada and Maquoketa, where he was instrumental in setting up the horse and pony programs. He used to raise and show horses. He was also a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying small aircraft. He loved bowling, fishing and watching his grandkids participate in sports and horseshows. He also loved collecting old replica airplanes, playing cards - especially cribbage - and traveling.

Survivors include a son, Dan (and Deb) Atkinson of Ames; four daughters, Patty (and Steve) Gayman of Dixon; Connie (and Kevin) Stear of Donahue, Kay (and Rollie) Behrend of Calamus and Joanie (and Bob) Bowman of Maquoketa; a stepson, Tony (and Theresa) Atkinson of Maquoketa; one brother, Bill (and Sue) Atkinson of Nevada; two half-brothers, Gary Barkus of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tom Barkus of Nebraska; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and a special friend, Helen Knight of Maquoketa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and a half-brother, Bruce.

Funeral services were held June 7 at Carson & Son Funeral and Cremation Services in Maquoketa with the Rev. Gerald Gjerde of the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa officiating. Graveside services and burial were held June 8 at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery with Pastor Myron Herzberg officiating. A memorial fund has been established in his name.