Donald "Don" E. Atkinson

Donald “Don” E. Atkinson, age 91, of Brooklyn, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Brooklyn Community Estate. Visitation: 9:00-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home with Rev. Guylain Yumba officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn, with military honors conducted by the Brooklyn American Legion Post #294 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Memorials may be directed to the family in care of Kloster Funeral Home at PO Box 341, Brooklyn, Iowa 52211, for the BGM Citizens Scholarship Fund.

Don is survived by his son Tim (Sheri) Atkinson of Brooklyn, 7 grandchildren, Jason Long, Chelsea (Jason) Nobling, Caleb Long, Kraig (Chris) Kriegel, Kellie (Brett) Strong, Kyle (Kelly) Kriegel and Kayley (Jerod) McCain; 16 great-grandchildren, his son-in-law Darwin Long, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Shelia in 2020, his daughter Angela in 2022, his sister and her husband Arlene and Doc Christensen and his parents.

Donald Eugene Atkinson was born January 22, 1933, in Emmetsburg, the son of Joseph S. and Blanche Ronneburg Atkinson. He graduated from Emmetsburg High School, in Emmetsburg, then enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Austria from 1951 to 1953. After serving Don furthered his education at Buena Vista College and received his master’s at Kirksville, MO. He was a history teacher, football coach and a drivers Ed teacher at BGM Schools for 31 years. During this time Don also sold advertising for JII, Thomas Murphy and finally Halo. He reluctantly retired in 2023, after 30 plus years. Don was a very devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, a member of the Brooklyn Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge and the Brooklyn American Legion Post #294 for 70 years. Don will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.