DONALD WILLARD ATKINSON
October 10, 1926 – November 26, 2020
Peacefully at his residence on Thursday, November 26, 2020 Don passed away at age 94.
Don is lovingly remembered by his wife Dolores, son Andrew (Terri) their daughter Jennifer, son
Arthur (Elianne), their children: Andrea, Aiyana, Thomas and Kaylan, daughter-in-law Sheila
and her children Daniel and Kailey; great grandchild Zander, daughter Paula Zurbyk (Lyle) and their son Justin, son Ashley and his children: Michael, Tyler and Devin.
Don was predeceased by his parents William and Mildred, and brother Earl.
Don was born in Lauder, MB. He attended school at Grand Bend, and Lauder. In his youth, Don was an avid ball player and curler. He took the diploma course in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba and farmed with his father in Lauder. On December 3, 1960 he married Dolores Welk and they raised 4 children. This December would have been their 60th Wedding
Anniversary. As a family they camped many summers and did trips in their motorhome to BC, the East Coast and Disneyland. Later on Don & Dolores enjoyed their country music and attended the Detroit, Craven and Dauphin Country Fest. They also did 2 motor home trips to Alaska.
For many years starting 1970, Don moved his family to Winnipeg for the winter seasons to pursue a career in ice making at the St. Vital Curling Club and back to Lauder for the rest of the year to farm. Eventually they moved to Winnipeg full time . Don also had his own business of selling nuts and bolts to farmers in the summer. In 1978, Don was one of the ice makers for the
Winnipeg Silver Broom held at the old Winnipeg Arena along with the 93 Scott Tournament of Hearts and the 95 World’s Curling in Brandon and other events. In 1991, at age 65 he retired from the St. Vital Curling Club and was made an Honorary Past President. Don joined the Khartum Provost Corps in 1981. He was their captain for close to 20 years participating in
parades in the province for many years.
In retirement Don and Dolores spent their first few winters at a condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama followed by many more winters at Magic Valley Trailer Park in Weslaco Texas where they met and made many friends from all over Canada and the U.S. Don enjoyed golfing down south and here at Oakwood Golf Course right up until last year. Farming was Don’s passion and he frequently drove out to the Lauder farm to visit friends and family and to see how the crops were growing.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held in Lauder, MB.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Muscular Dystrophy or St. Vital Curling Club.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Atkinson Donald Willard 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Souris, Province: Manitoba