Atkins, Richard 'Rick'

Richard “Rick” Atkins, 72, of Whiting, Iowa, died Sept. 7, 2013, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Whiting Christian Church, with Jeff Thelander officiating. Military Honors provided by the United States Navy. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., officiated by Pastor Nick Koenig. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy of Whiting; seven children, Dennis (Michelle) Atkins of Fairbanks, Alaska, Tammie Elkins of Findlay, Ohio, Gregory Atkins (friend, Robin) of Louisville, Ky., Steven (Sherri) Atkins of Omaha, Neb., Rochelle (Chris) Babcock of Hinton, Iowa, and Dana (Paul) Anderson and twin sister, Dawn Atkins, both of Marion; as well as two stepsons, Chad (Niki) Kanneberg of Anamosa and Caleb (Joanie) Kanneberg of Cedar Rapids; four brothers, Richard Strong, Raymond (Vicki) Atkins, Danny Atkins and David Kirby; five sisters, Taisa (special friend, Larry Catlett) Freeman, Della Mae (Jim) Tuck, Sandra (Brad) Johnson, Shari Kirby and Michelle Ruby Jean Milligan; 24 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Jr. and Dorothy Atkins; two brothers, Francis “Stan” Atkins III and Wencil Lee “Butch” Atkins; one sister, Blanche Adeline McCardle; and his first wife, Wanda.

Richard “Rick” Atkins was born Dec. 18, 1940, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Welbes) Atkins. His childhood was spent in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Detroit, Mich. Rick served in the U.S. Navy from March 1958 to November 1961.

Rick married Wanda Boycott on March 7, 1958. The couple had two children. He later married Karen Rodby on March 27, 1962. They were blessed with five children.

Rick received his BA in education in 1972 from the University of Iowa, his MSE in 1983 from Drake University and his EdS in 1993 from the University of South Dakota.

Rick married Peggy Kanneberg at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on April 15, 1989. The couple initially made their home in New Liberty, and lived in Salix for a short time before moving to Whiting, where they lived the past several years.

Rick served various school districts in Iowa as a teacher, coach and administrator for 37 years, retiring in 2001 after 11 years as principal at the Whiting Community Schools. He remained in education to be associated with students as a substitute teacher for an additional eight years for the Sioux City and Westwood School districts, retiring again in 2009. Working with students was a major passion of his.

Condolences maybe left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com

Published Sept. 8, 2013 in The Gazette