OBITUARY
James Lawrence Atkinson
October 12, 1931 – March 11, 2010
James Lawrence Atkinson, 78, of Lakeside and Lakewood Township, passed away surrounded by family Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Edgewood Vista.
Jim was born in Duluth on October 12, 1931 to Lawrence and Frances (Gigrich) Atkinson.
He attended Lakewood Schools and served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy.
On October 24, 1953, he married Helen Fosness in Duluth and together they raised eight children.
Jim was the owner and operator of Lester Park Skelly for over 42 years. The business continues to operate under the ownership of his son, Tom.
Jim was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
He was a longtime member of the Northwestern Gun Club of Duluth and the NRA.
Jim loved his homestead on the Lester River. He took great pride in his garden. Jim had a tremendous love and reverence for nature; a value instilled upon him by his father and one which Jim passed on to his children. He was a self taught arborist with a special respect for the trees.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Jerry Seibert; and his sister, Julie St. Sauver.
Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen; eight children, Lawrence (Rita) of St. Cloud, MN., Thomas (Rita) of Proctor, MN., Daniel (Linda) of Grand Rapids, MN., Jean (David) Runquist of Superior, WI., Mary (David) Hallsten of Maple, WI., Mark of Duluth, John of Goodyear, AZ., and James (Jeanne) of Lakewood Township.; one brother, Paul (Anita) Seibert of Apple Valley, MN; two sisters, Edith (Vannie) Toney of Leslie, AK., and Annette (Jerome) Lambert of Esko, MN; 22 grandchildren, Melissa, Kristen, Lisa, Danielle, Jennifer, Jared, Samuel, Thomas, Jacob, Matthew, Erick, Jamie, David, Steven, Jodi, Corey, Aaron, Michael, Nicholas, Jenna, Nathaniel, Kaylea; and 16 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kamie, Kohl, Ashton, Taylor, Mileena, Cecelia, Steven, Madilyn, Maija, Jayger, Owen, Wyatt, Blake, Dayton and Jenna
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, March, 15, 2010 in Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 Funeral Mass Tuesday in St. Michael’s Catholic Church. 4901 E. Superior St. Rev. Fr Thomas Radaich , Rev. Fr. Seamus Walsh and Rev. Fr. William Fider officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
In Jim’s memory, memorials are preferred to the Solvay Hospice House. Miller-Dwan Foundation. 502 E. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 55808 or the Alzheimer’s Association. PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
To leave a memory or words of support for the family please visit www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com
Arrangements by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home. 925 E. 4th St. 218-722-5131
Services
- Visitation Monday, March 15, 2010
- Mass Tuesday, March 16, 2010
REMEMBERING
James Lawrence Atkinson
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RECEIVE UPDATESKaren Hoylo(Gastler)
March 23, 2010
Helen and family, I was so sorry to hear of Jim`s passing. I will remember you all in my prayers. It`s been a long time since we had coffee together, but I remember all your children playing with mine in your backyard, even after dark. They had such a good time.
Unknown Unknown
March 18, 2010
Please accept our sincere condolences on the death of your husband, father, and grandfather..so sorry...family Jasarevic
Catherine Seibert-Muir
March 17, 2010
Dear Aunt Helen and Family,
We were all so sorry to hear of Uncle Jim's passing. When I remember him I always remember what a kinda and gentle man he was. My Dad Jerry thought the world and all of him and always spoke so fondly of him and was so thankful to have been blessed to have him as a brother. Our greatest sympathy to you all.
Love and prayers,
Cathy (Seibert) Muir, Jon, Grayson & Tommy
Bruce,Nancy,Anthony Lotti
March 16, 2010
My family and I will truly miss Jim. Jim was a good, honest gentleman with a kind and caring soul. When I took our vehicles to him to be fixed, it was like taking my car to my own dad. I could always trust Jim and I knew he would always tell me the truth. I never questioned him. I'll never forget what Jim said to me when I came to pick up our very worn 1986 Grandam. He said, "Nancy get rid of that damn car!" So shortly after I did - because Jim said so! We love and will miss you Jim. To the family our love. Bruce, Nancy, and Anthony Lotti.
Joe Clein
March 16, 2010
I am Joe Clein, we served at different times on the USS Chevalier. I received your information via another shipmate of ours, one that served with you. I have placed your name on the Chevalier Memoral list and you will be remembered at our next reunions Memoral. Gods Speed.
Dan and Debi Nesgoda
March 15, 2010
Dear Auntie Helen, Larry, Tom, Dan, Jeannie, Mary, Mark, John, Jim and famillies, I am so sorry we were unable to make it to the service. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. The photos were a great tribute to a wonderful, caring family man. My memories are always good ones from your home in Lakeside, where we spent alot of time together when we were young! Uncle Jim had this wonderful way to make you feel loved, from his tight squeeze hugs to the twinkle in his eye when he spoke to you. His gentle spirit made you feel good whenever you saw him. I will forever remember the smell of his pipe and the smile on his face when he would come home, no matter how many people were there. Thank you for all the great memories that I will cherish forever. I love you all!
Love,
Dan, Debi, Nick and Lindsey
Gene Cotton
March 15, 2010
We are sorry to hear of Jim's passing, and you have our profound sympathy. Jim was one of the all time great guys. We will remember him fondly.
We are off in Florida or we would certainly be with you. Will be in contact when we return. Gene and Lu Cotton
March 14, 2010
The gallery of photos shows what a dedicated family man Jim was. I will always remember his big hugs and how genuinely interested he was in all of his exteneded family members. The quotation after the pictures is perfectly fitting for "Uncle" Jim. He was a man who lived with dignity and grace. The rich legacy he has left you of the love of nature and family values will bring you comfort throughout your lives. He will be missed.
May God bless your family with peace and strength at this time.
Love,
Carol and Gary
March 14, 2010
Dear Helen and family.
Please accept our sincere condolences on the death of your husband, father,
and grandfather. Jim was a wonderful person.
Paul, Barb, Susan, and John Gustad
FROM THE FAMILY
James Lawrence Atkinson
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim with Granddaughter, Lisa
FROM THE FAMILY
Helen and Jim on their wedding anniversary
FROM THE FAMILY
Serving his country at the age of 17 - United States Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
Admiring the wonderful weather on his first outing outdoors after his long illness last summer!
FROM THE FAMILY
One of Jim's favorite cedar trees at the farm
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim and Helen with Ernie and Eve Moen (Larry's in-laws)
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim and Helen and their hired ride...on their way to their 50th anniversary party
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim and Helen with longtime friends and neighbors, Jack and Jean Hinzman
FROM THE FAMILY
Swinging at the farm
FROM THE FAMILY
Dad's beautiful tulips!
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim as a young boy with his father and their new puppy
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Jim with younger sister, Annette (on the farm)
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Jim with great grandson, Steven
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Jim listening to his new mini stereo
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Jim as a young boy on the farm with his mother
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Jim pulling the spuds and his little sister in the wagon
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Jim with great grandson twins, Taylor and Ashton
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Jim with a new calf on the farm
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Jim with his mother and sisters, Eadie and Annette
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim as a young man working the hay field
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Jim and daughter, Jean on her wedding day
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Jim and his first born son, Larry
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Jim as a small child with his kitten and family dog.
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Jim and his little sister, Eadie
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Jim with his younger sisters, Eadie and Annette
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Jim holding Carrie Lee Buck (daughter of longtime friends)
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Young Jim on skis at the farm
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working hard doing chores on the farm
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The admired tulips
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...and more chores
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Working in the garden with his grandchildren
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A fishing trip with son, Larry and Larry's in-laws
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Jim with his father and little sister, Annette
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On top of the haystack with his father pitching hay (little sister, Annette in front)
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim with his mother and little sister, Eadie
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Jim as a toddler in the garden with his father
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Jim with his father and little sister
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Jim with his mother-in-law, Cecelia
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Relaxing at the farm
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Jim with his mother and sisters
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Jim at his 75th birthday party with son, Tom and sister, Eadie
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75th birthday party with sister, Eadie (left), brother, Paul and sister, Annette
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim at his 75th birthday party with his wife, Helen and his eight children
FROM THE FAMILY
Helen's 75th birthday party with Ron and Virginia Ludwig
FROM THE FAMILY
Grandpa Jim with granddaughter, Kaylea (and his dog of course)
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Jim with one of his grandchildren (American Rifleman for infants?)
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Taking a nap with his grandson
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"Poopie" with grandson, Aaron
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Jim with grandsons, Nicholas and Aaron
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Reading books with grandson, Nathan
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with grandsons, Michael and Nicholas
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Blowing out the candles with grandson, Jacob and granddaughter, Danielle
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Grandpa and grandson, Steven
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With Elvis (aka...grandson Aaron)
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Blowing bubbles with granddaughter, Kaylea
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Jim with newborn granddaughter, Kaylea
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A beautiful day to baptize a beautiful granddaughter
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Grandpa's first conversation with grandson, Aaron
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Jim and grandson, Tommy
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Jim with daughter-in-law Linda, grandson, Erick and son, Dan
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Jim with granddaughter, Jennifer at Maple Lake
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Proud grandparents of Melissa on her graduation day
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Jim with granddaughter, Jamie
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Another proud day with grandson, David
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Jim and his great grandson
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Jim and grandson, Erick at the air show
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Fixing the hand pump at the farm with grandsons, Aaron and Nicholas
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Planting flowers with grandsons, Steven and David
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On the bank of the Lester River with grandson, Nathan
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Giving a lift to his great grandson
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Jim with son, Tom, granddaughter Danielle and his father, Lawrence
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Dad and his Dog
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Snuggling up to Kirby on the kitchen floor
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Being welcomed home by his faithful companion
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Jim and Rambo
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Spoiling the dog with fresh buttered corn on the cob
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Working in the garden
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He loved spending time in his gardens
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preparing the earth
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inspecting the environment
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Jim's perfect rows
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Jim in his corn
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Teaching the grandsons in the garden
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preparing the cannon
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Loading the cannon
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Lighting the cannon
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There goes the cannon! Jim built this cannon many years ago
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Home from work
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Digging in the dirt again
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Napping after the birthday party
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Dad
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Dad and his pipe (Sherlock Holmes?)
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At a family picnic, grandson, Corey in the background
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Surveying his homestead
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Jim and son, Dan
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Contemplating by the fire
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Jim and son-in-law, David
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Fixing the roof of the shed
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Dad and the dinner bell
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Jim and son, Dan
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Jim and son, Larry
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corn feed at the farm with mom and son, John
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Hiking on his trip to Seattle
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Seattle
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Amazed by the giant redwood trees
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Jim, son, John and Helen in Seattle
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A trip with Mom
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In awe of the giant redwood
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Smooching his bride in their matching Carhartts
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IN THE CARE OF