Atkinson, Dorothy Margaret

Atkinson: On August 25, 2017, Dorothy Margaret Atkinson passed away in the Souris hospital. Dorothy  was born on September 1, 1929 in Deloraine, Manitoba to her parents Christina and Howard Swerdfeger.  Along with her brother Austin, the family lived on the farm at Lauder, Manitoba.  That is where she began her love for country life, enjoying the sunrises and sunsets. Mom attended schools at Truro and Lauder then continued on to be a teacher at Purple Hill. On October 1, 1949, Dorothy married Earl Mathew Atkinson and they farmed at Lauder. They raised two sons, Ken and Rod. Mom and Dad were an independent, kind, fun loving, hard working farm couple. Together they enjoyed curling, playing cards and took time to travel in BC and in the United States. They also enjoyed driving to other towns to take in the scenery and to visit with friends. Their one passion was the love of music and dancing.  They went to many dance nights with friends and danced to the wonderful old time music. Mom belonged to the UCW, Hospital Aid and was an avid church member. She was an active participant in many events in the community. Autumn was Mom’s  favourite time of year. The changing of the colours and the crops being harvested was what she loved the most.  Thanksgiving was her favourite holiday with family enjoying the bountiful meal she prepared, particularly her homemade buns and lemon pie.  She loved her Lady Hamilton china, gardening, writing letters, wearing her pearls, and keeping the family history on both sides of the family. Her family was very precious to her.  She would greet us with a gentle smile and was always ready to listen and have a conversation with anyone.  She would light up when she saw her grandchildren and great grandchildren come through the door.  Mom and Dad moved to their home in  Hartney in 1988. Later, as health declined, they spent their last years in Hartney PCH. They were a devoted couple who celebrated 67 years of marriage on October 1, 2016. Sadly, Dad, the love of her life, passed away soon after on October 28^th.  Mom is predeceased by her husband Earl, parents Howard and Christina, brother Austin and sister-in-law Shirley. She is forever missed by her family, Ken and Karen, Rod and Brenda, her 5 grandsons, Derek (Christie), Devrin (Jaime), Kurtis (Jamie), Clark (Chrissy), Steven (Tara) as well as her great grandchildren, Brayden, Austin, Cohen, Kadjun, Pheonix, Bree, William, Abel, Avie, Presley and Neely. She is also missed by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Dolores Atkinson and family. On August 31, 2017 a  service was held in Lauder, officiated by Rev. Doug Craig.