James A. Atkinson

James A. Atkinson, 94, of Albion, NE, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albion, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE, with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #162 and VFW Post #736 of Albion, NE, Army Funeral Honor Guard, and American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at church.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

James Arnold Atkinson, son of James Homer and Mabel Minnie (Johnson) Atkinson was born on September 11, 1929 in Albion, NE. He was baptized on March 23, 1930 at the Loretto Methodist Church in Loretto, NE and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE. Jim attended grade school at District #13, in Boone County and graduated from the 8th grade in May, 1943. He graduated from Albion High School in May, 1947. After graduating, Jim worked with his father on the farm west of Loretto, NE until he joined the United States Army on January 18, 1952. He went to basic training at Camp Gordon, Georgia and then to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey for training in High Frequency Telephone repair.  He spent 1953 in Korea with a Military Advisory Group, part of the Korean War conflict, and was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, CO on January 7, 1954.

Jim was united in marriage to Janet Claire Larson on March 15, 1958 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Newman Grove, NE. The couple bought a farm eight miles northwest of Albion, NE where they farmed and raised their four children. In February of 2000 they built a home in Albion and retired. Jim was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, NE and served on the church council.  He joined the American Legion Post #162 after returning from Korea and also was a member of the VFW #736 of Albion where he spent numerous years as a member of the Color Guard.  Jim also served on the Farmers Co-op Board and was a member of the Sons of Norway.  He loved going to auctions with Janet and finding vintage and antique items to add to their various collections. Most of all, Jim enjoyed being active in his children and grandchildren's lives.

Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet of Albion, NE; four children: Jennifer (Gerald) Schmitz of Albion, NE; Jeffrey (Laurie) Atkinson of Davey, NE; Jeanine (Brian) Peeks of Lincoln, NE; Jill (Thomas) Sutcliffe of Nisswa, MN; nine grandchildren: Hannah Schmitz of Lincoln, NE; Matthew Schmitz of Albion, NE; Nathan Schmitz of Lincoln, NE; Sarah Peeks of Fremont, NE: Laura (Lars) Comstock of Iowa City, IA; Jack (Olivia) Sutcliffe of Pawleys Island, SC; Samuel James Sutcliffe of Sioux Falls, SD; Jenna Sutcliffe of Bloomington, MN; Lauren Sutcliffe of Nisswa, MN; sister-in-law Melba Larson of Amherst, MA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his parents-in-law Carl and Mary Larson.