Inez M. Atherton

Born in Ross, Iowa on May 4, 1907
Departed on September 2, 2007. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Inez Mary Atherton, 100, of Ironwood, Michigan, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Alburnett, Iowa died Sunday, September 2, 2007, in Westgate Nursing Center, Ironwood, Michigan following a lengthy illness. Graveside Services will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 2:00 PM. Services will be conducted by Rev. H. Burr Bryant of the Alburnett United Methodist Church. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include her sons Paul Susan Atherton, Marion, Iowa; James Atherton, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a sister Edna Koenig, Audubon, Iowa; grandchildren Diane Roger Manglani, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Cynthia Donald Fortmann, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Douglas Atherton, El Cajon California, David Laura Atherton, Alburnett, Iowa, Timothy Elizabeth Atherton, Corpus Christi, Texas, Michael Carrie Atherton, Lutz, Florida; 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister Lydia Williamson; four brothers William Tessman, Arch Tessman, Clarence Tessman, Clark Tessman; one daughter-in-law Barbara Butterfield Atherton.

Inez was born May 4, 1907 to Fredrick and Mary Schrader Tessman in Ross, Iowa. She was raised on a large grain and livestock farm. She attended High School in Audubon, Iowa.

Inez married Ralph Atherton on August 19, 1926 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in Ironwood, Michigan. They were members of the Alburnett United Methodist Church.

During World War II, Inez took a job with Rockwell Collins. One of the highlights of her life was working with the engineers in research and development as an electronics technician on the "Man to the Moon Mission." She retired after 25 years of service.

Throughout her life she was a perfectionist and active in sewing, knitting, crocheting, leatherwork, ceramics, gardening, growing flowers, canning, candy making, cooking, cub scouts, fishing, antique collecting, and time at their Lake Delhi cabin.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Lung Association or Alburnett United Methodist Church.

Service

Cemetery