Lois Atkinson

Lois Mildred Atkinson, 96, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died December 17, 2013 in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born June 18, 1917, south of Gothenburg, NE, daughter of Frank A and Stella Eliza (Loutzenheiser) Brush.

Lois attended country school at District 32 until 4th grade and then the family moved to town. She graduated from Gothenburg High School with the class of 1935. She played the cello in both the high school and city orchestra. She married John Gonzales in 1938 at Curtis, NE. They had 6 children: Janice, John J, Gary, Paul, Mike, and Jane. John served his country as an officer in the United States Air Force and the family moved to assignments in Washington State, Alabama, South Carolina and Nara, Japan. Captain John died in 1953. She married Sam Atkinson in November 1955, they had a daughter Sue. The family continued to make their home in Gothenburg. Lois was a dedicated wife and mother. She also worked at the Beath Cafe, the local Safeway and was a school bus driver for Gothenburg Public School for many years. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, VFW, First United Methodist Church, several extension clubs and pinochle clubs. She enjoyed her family and kept in touch with them thru letters and travel. She enjoyed cooking and baking. Her hands kept busy with china painting, crocheting, embroidery, crewel, sewing, and quilting. She liked to read and enjoyed music.

Surviving are four sons - Jim (Janice) of Gothenburg, NE, Gary (Julie) of Omaha, NE, Paul of Albany, OR, Mike (Terrie) Gonzales of Grand Island, NE; three daughters - Janice (Tom) Angstman of Spokane, WA, Jane (Jim) Felton of Marina, CA, Sue (Tom) Kobold of Corvallis, OR; 18 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; sister - Dolores Geiken of Grand Island, NE along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Lois was preceded in death by her first husband John in 1953, her second husband Samuel D. Atkinson in 1998; parents, Frank and Stella Brush; brothers, Thomas, Merrill, Bill, Oliver (Short), Raymond, and sister, Caryle.

Register Book Signing will be held Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 9:00 - 7:00, with the family present from 5-7, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorial Service: Friday, January 24, 2014, 10:30 AM, First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, Nebraska with Dr. Jeff Thurman Officiating.

Inurnment will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.