Shirley Ann Atkinson

Shirley Ann Atkinson, 87, of Hazen ND, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Hillsboro Sanford Hospital, Hillsboro, ND after a long battle with cancer.

Shirley was born on November 13, 1938, in Rugby, North Dakota to Leonard and Signe (Bjerke) Erickson and grew up on the family farm north of town. After graduating from Rugby High School in 1956, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo. It was during this time that she began a courtship with Melvin Atkinson, and they were united in marriage on June 21, 1958, in Rugby. The couple resided and raised their family in various communities before settling in Hazen in 1980.

Shirley was a woman of steadfast faith and deep devotion to her family. For 35 years, she and Melvin resided on a small farm south of Hazen which became their retirement haven raising horses. Many games were played, stories read, and wonderful memories created with her grandchildren during adventurous summers on the farm. Shirley had many pursuits, mostly notably her love of gardening which she passed along to her family. She worked until her retirement at the Oliver-Mercer Special Education Unit. Shirley generously served her community as a Board member of the Hazen Senior Center, an election official, a church volunteer, and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program among other community endeavors.

Shirley is survived by her beloved children: Sarah (Benjamin) Elder of Valley City, ND; Thomas Atkinson of Oklee, MN; Sandra (Bob) Krause of Parker, CO; and Tim (Kanokkorn) Atkinson of Blanchard, ND. She took great joy in her grandchildren: Shane Tragesser, Dustin Tragesser, Kristy (Travis) Larson, Kaitlyn Atkinson (Eric Marvel), Nicole (Jonathan) Heydt, and Matthew (Abigail) Krause, as well as her great-grandchildren: Kyson, Thielyn, Katherine, and Zoe. She is also survived by her brother, Loren (Marie) Erickson of Moorhead, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, in 2021, her parents and siblings: Lillian Fay, Charles Erickson, Irene Bickler, and Darlene Daly.

Committal Service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 1 pm at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hazen Senior Center @ 21 7th Street NW, Hazen ND 58545.