Colleen Atkinson

After battling Alzheimers for the past 10 years, Colleen “Couge” Atkinson, 71, the best wife, mom, grandma, and sister passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, October 8, 2023.  She was born in Fond du Lac, WI on January 10, 1952 to the late Carlton and Isabelle Krug.  She graduated in 1970 from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, WI.

On September 2, 1972 Couge was united in marriage to Scot Atkinson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in the Town of Forest where she was a lifelong member.  Together with her husband they ran a dairy farm in the Town of Forest for over 25 years.  She also worked at Heritage Lanes, B&B Express, Mercury Marine, and Agnesian.

She loved bowling, softball, cards, horseshoes, gardening, reading, annual trips to Florida with the Brenners, going to her grandchildren’s sporting events, and most importantly spending time at home with her family and friends.  Her love for mint chocolate chip ice cream is carried on through her grandchildren.

Survivors include - Her husband of 51 years, Scot Atkinson, six daughters; Dawn (Mike) Simon, Shelly (Ryan) Rasske, Beth Atkinson Schultz (Paul Tolvstad), Krista O’Connor (Benjamin Pierquet), Pam Sippel (Kip Hochrein), Penny (Nicholas) Collin. 13 Grandchildren; Kailee, Emilee, Abbie, Andy Simon, Cole and Marcus Schultz, Liam, Murphey, Rorey O’Connor, and Arianna Pierquet, Izabelle, Beckett, and Jaxson Collin.  Siblings; Daryl (Bonnie) Krug, Dennis (Kathy) Krug, Carolyn (Donald) Blatz, Eileen (Randy) Serwe, Wendy (Mike) Seibel, including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Earl (Gina) Atkinson, Dean (Julie) Atkinson.  She is further survived by her godchildren; Jacquelyn Braatz, Timothy Paul Matas, and Amanda Henry along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, especially Donald and Karen Schmitz.

Couge was preceded in death by her parents; Carlton and Isabelle Krug, siblings Randall Krug and Baby Krug, father and mother in-law; Willard and Lotus Atkinson, brother and sister in-law Lee & Sheryl Atkinson, and nephew; Jon Blatz.

Along with being a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor; Couge’s brain was donated to Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center to assist in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, N6693 County Road W Mount Calvary, WI 53057. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 am with Rev. Ian Headrick officiating. Private burial will follow at Forest Cemetery.

Words can not express how grateful we are to Couge’s caregiver Cindy; the love and compassion she showed to our family made her journey at home possible.

Couge’s family would like to thank the staff of SSM Home Hospice Care; especially Nora, Aretta, and Lori.

“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.”

Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com.