Myrla Maxwell Atkinson passed away 20 Jan 2017 at the home of her eldest daughter, in Orangevale, CA.  She was 91.  Myrla was born in Salt Lake City 24 April 1925 to Rada Louisa Sargent and James Pheren Maxwell. In infancy the family moved to Peoa, Summit County, Utah. She was raised in Peoa and graduated from South Summit High in 1943. She was active in musicals, plays, cheerleading and many teenage pursuits while growing up. After high school she went to San Francisco to work during World War II.

            In the autumn of 1945 she met at a dance, her old high school flame, Wallace William Atkinson, who had been in Europe at war. They had known each other since childhood and had spent time together in school productions and other things while growing up. They loved one another, but he then went off to war. That left many uncertainties. Then they reignited the courtship and on January 16, 1946 they were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. To that union were born three children: Phillip Wallace (Glenna Boren) of Rock Springs, WY; Shauna Lee (Jon Fish) of Orangevale, CA and Patricia Rae (deceased). They are the grandparents of 12 and many other great and great-great grandchildren are also scattered across the branches of her family tree.

            Active in the LDS Church all of her life she served in many positions and callings with distinction. She served faithfully and lovingly all of her life so many others in her circle of association could be touched. She believed she had had a most wonderful life. Blessed with a beautiful solo voice she sang in more than 70 funerals in her lifetime. She and her husband served a mission to the San Diego Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center in 1987-88. She felt like that was a highlight of her church life.

            She loved to travel and got a real good look at the U.S. In addition to that she traveled in Europe, in Australia and New Zealand – as well as Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Her hands were a deft touch to floral arrangements, arts and crafts and other things of beauty. She painted with oils and she made many friends in her lifetime from living in Peoa, UT; Independence, MO; Heber City, UT; Santa Maria and Canoga Park, CA and Salt Lake City. The last 20-plus years of their lives they lived in Orem, UT.

            She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter, one granddaughter and her sister, Bernice Lewis. She is survived by her two children, the many other offspring--and her sisters, Virginia Fitzgerald, Lehi, UT; Afton Jackson, Kanab, UT and Gloria McAllister, Pleasant Grove, UT.

            A memorial service will be held for her on Saturday, April 22, 2017 in the Francis, UT LDS meetinghouse, at 11AM. Burial will follow the service in the Francis Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Arrangements under the direction of PRICE FUNERAL CHAPEL (916) 725-2109. 

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