Obituary of Phyllis May Atkinson

Atkinson, Phyllis May 1913 – 2014 Phyllis was born in 1913, the eldest of Herbert and Phoebe Booth’s eight children. When Phyllis completed her grade 8 at the age of 13, the family moved to the Laventure area. Phyllis met her future husband, Wilfred Atkinson at a community dance. They married in 1935, spending the next few years farming and raising their family of three, Jean, Marguerite and Lawrence (Lorne). Wilfred passed away in 1954, after just 19 years of marriage. Phyllis rented out the farm and moved to Spiritwood. In Spiritwood, Phyllis opened her house to become a boarding house. With Phyllis’ great sense of fun and easy going nature she proved to be a natural for running the boarding house. In 1983 she took full retirement, becoming one of the first residents of the New Seniors Housing Units. Phyllis was involved in the Health Board, the Regional Library Board, the Local Library Board, the Idylwild Lodge Board, a founding member of the Home Care Board, and served on Spiritwood Town Council. At the time of her move she became a member and supporter of the Anglican Church, being a Vestry member, and held various positions on the ACW. Phyllis was known to be a resourceful, straightforward, strong, steady, fun, easy-going, loving lady who took what life handed her. Phyllis enjoyed driving people around until she was 90, she loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, handwork and reading and many other activities. Phyllis stayed on her own until 2010, in which she moved to the Rose Gill Lodge and spent the last year and a half in Idylwild Lodge in Spiritwood. A Memorial Service was held for Phyllis on the 17th day of May at 2:00pm from the Pioneer Center in Spiritwood, SK. Memorial Donations in honor of Phyllis may be made to Idylwild Lodge Auxiliary, Spiritwood, SK or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Phyllis is lovingly survived by: Her daughter, Jean (Frank) Zawada and their family: Craig (Dianne) and children -Dan(Stephanie) and Katie; Ross (Yolanda) and daughter –Rocio; Lana (Dale) Chuhaniuk; Beverly Zawada, Her daughter, Marguerite Erlandson and her family: Raynell (Rob) Hillton and children; Mathew (Sheena) and son, Hunter; Michelle and son, Brandon; Brenen (Brianne); Zachary, Trevor (Bonnie) Erlandson and children: Desiree (Shawn) and daughter, Grace; Jennifer (Brent), Kelvin (Michelle) Erlandson and children: Holly and daughter, Madison; Ben, Cathy (Ross) Normand and their son-Dallas (Sheena) and their son, Denver and her children: Hailee, Logan & Paityn; Ken (Brenda) Erlandson and children: Ashley, Jordan & Brooklynn, Her son, Lawrence Atkinson . She is predeceased by: her loving husband, Wilfred, her son-in-law, Edward Erlandson, her grandson Terry Erlandson, her sisters, Ida Pearson, Susan Grant an infant sister, Annie Booth, her brothers, Gerald, Lawrence, Herbert, Clare and an infant brother. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com . The family has entrusted arrangements to Lori Saam of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Spiritwood, SK 306-883-3500