Arlene Atkinson (nee Koenig), 87, of Dyer, NV, passed away peacefully on December 20th, 2025.

Born on August 26th, 1938 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Arlene was the beloved child of Richard and Rose Koenig. She was the third of five kids, (Richard, Rosalie, Arlene, Maria, and Louise). She grew up in rural New Jersey and attended high school at St. Peters. The College of St. Elizabeth was her alma mater along with studies at Catholic University. She went on to teach High School English and Drama at Marylawn of the Oranges Academy in South Orange NJ before working for a telephone installation company in the 1970’s where she met and married Roger Atkinson.

They settled in Huntsville, AL and had two sons, David and Mark. Arlene was very active in her parish community where she served as a religious educator, sacristan, mini parish organizer and choir member. Along with her parish community that she spoke of fondly and often in her later years, she was a director and actor in the local community theater. She played many starring and supporting roles through the years, directed several dramas, and was always helping behind the scenes.

When Roger’s work took the family to El Cajon, California in 1990, she settled into So Cal life like everything else she did, with grace and patience. She picked up oil painting and made many works of art capturing the essence of the places she and Roger visited over the years. She also embraced her new church family, quickly becoming an integral part of the daily operations at St. Kieran’s Catholic Church where she worked for many years. After her sons were grown and gone, she pursued a passion from her early days again, teaching English as a second language as part of the Laubach Literacy Council of San Diego County. She was a tutor, mentor and organizer for the council, fulfilling many roles.

Arlene will be remembered for her electric laugh (and an occasional snort), her quick wit, and her trust in God’s plan for everyone. Throughout her life, she touched all those she came in contact with, whether in a large or small way, by her love of language, eye for color and light, her Catholic faith, and her belief in the basic dignity of everyone she met.

She is survived by her husband Roger, her sons David (Angela) of Valmeyer, IL and Mark Atkinson of Dyer, NV, her sisters Maria (Kevin) Dunn, and Louise (John) Morris, her grandchildren Nathaniel, Analeisa, and Rosemarie Atkinson, and Jurnee, Bear, Wimzy and Persephonie Atkinson, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Rose Koenig, her brother, Harvey Koenig, and her sister, Rosalie Cunningham.

A funeral service will be held on January 5th at the Dyer Community Center, beginning at 9:30am. Friends and family are welcome to attend and share memories.

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