Betty J. Atkinson

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Paynesville Lutheran Church in Paynesville for Betty J. Atkinson, age 87 of Paynesville who passed away on Friday, April 17, 2015 surrounded by her family at the Koronis Manor. Reverend Marlene Elmstrom will officiate. Burial will take place at the Paynesville Cemetery.

Family and friends may call after 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church in Paynesville. Arrangements were made by the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home, Paynesville.

Betty was born in Lemmon, South Dakota on August 5, 1927 to Sam and Olive (Burr) Rien. She grew up in Lemmon and moved to Paynesville in March of 1943 with her mother and brother, Roger. On January 13, 1946 she was united in marriage to James Atkinson in Paynesville. They were blessed with six children. Betty was an active member of Paynesville Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir for over 30 years. She was involved in the Rebekah Lodge, Ladies Circle, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and several other community organizations. She enjoyed having coffee with her friends, bowling on the Laubach bowling team and celebrating with the Birthday Club. Betty was a social butterfly; she loved to travel with her friends and family. She had a zest for life and loved being a wife, mother and grandmother.

Betty is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Mike (Rita) of Paynesville, Peggy (Gary) Irrthum of Las Vegas, Nevada, Curt (Karen) of Sartell, Mary (Robert) Hicks of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and Bruce (Pauline) of Alamogordo, New Mexico; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren. Betty also leaves behind nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Susie; grandson, Trent Atkinson; two great grandchildren; three brothers, Sam, Bob and Roger; and one sister, Mary Lou.