In Passing

Gary Atkinson

Gary Atkinson, formerly of Olathe and Wichita, KS, ended his battle with cancer Dec. 19. He was 66 years old. Gary was born in Oklahoma City on July 4, 1953, to Bill and Dorothy Atkinson, interrupting a family picnic. He is survived by his wife Lynda, mother-in-law Cathy Black, sister-in-law Mary Ann Atkinson, nieces Shelley Atkinson, Vicky Pritchard, Piper Atkinson, nephew Bill Atkinson and a large extended family. He never knew a stranger, enabling him to excel in sales. He will be missed by countless friends, in addition to his family. Gary was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Bill and sister-in-law Pat, brother Tom, sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Marvin Deckert and father-in-law Jim Black. Gary was a graduate of Kapaun High School in Wichita, KS and Wichita State University. He loved sports and had a special passion for golf. Gary’s funeral Mass was held Monday, Dec. 30 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or Mayo Clinic Cancer Center – Research. Condolences may be left for the family at www.hccfh.org>obituary

Duane Hauser

Dr. Duane E. Hauser D.V.M., age 87 of Goodyear, AZ died Dec. 12, 2019, in Surprise, AZ. He was born Feb. 5, 1932 in Mason City, IA to Wade and Eloise Parsons Hauser. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until his discharge in 1955, retiring at the rank of 1st. Lt. A kind and gentle man, Duane was a veterinarian by profession. After his retirement, he and his first wife, Joan moved to PebbleCreek. Following Joan’s death, Duane met Gloria, a widow who also lived in PebbleCreek by telling her he wanted to meet her dog.

Duane always had a smile on his face and a “get ‘er done” attitude. Both he and Gloria have worked as volunteers at the Abrazo West Campus since 2003. Known affectionally as “the energizer bunny”, Duane received the Lifetime Achievement Award last spring for volunteering over 10,000 hours at the hospital. People would often ask his advice about a problem or condition their pet was experiencing, and he would willingly and lovingly give them his opinion with this admonition, “the advice I give is worth every penny you paid for it.”

When not playing golf or volunteering, he loved doing cross stitch, an art Gloria taught him after they married. He lovingly cross-stitched Christmas stockings for each of his grandchildren and each great-grandchild, something they will cherish for sure.

Duane is survived by his wife, Gloria Betts Hauser; daughters Kim Haines and Lisa Adkins and her husband Roy; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a step-son David Betts and his wife Anne; and a step-daughter Teresa Ingebrigtsen and her husband Jon. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Hauser; and his youngest daughter, Beth Hauser; two brothers; and his parents. A Celebration of Life will be held at a date and time to be determined at Christ Presbyterian Church, 925 N. Sarival Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338. The family suggests that donations be made to K-9s for Wounded Warriors, https://www.k9sforwarriors.org/. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/dr-duane-e-hauser-d-v-m/.

Patricia Howard

Patricia Jeanne Howard passed away on December 21, 2019, at the age of 72 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband of fifty-three years Eugene Howard and children Chris Loo and Eric Howard and grandchildren Sarah and Brandon Loo.

Pat and Gene moved to PebbleCreek in 2002. Pat was active in numerous golf groups including the Ladies Nine-Hole group and enjoyed playing mahjongg. Pat had a twenty-five-year career as Director of Food Services in various school districts in California.

A celebration of life service was held on Jan. 18, 2020, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Goodyear. Donations may be sent to Christ Presbyterian Church Legacy Fund, 925 N. Sarival Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338.

Roger Wayne Nelson

Roger Wayne Nelson, age 88 of Goodyear, AZ died January 11, 2020 in Goodyear, AZ. He was born April 7, 1931 in Morris, IL to Willard and Esther (Moe) Nelson. He graduated from Newark High School in 1949. Roger served in the US Air Force Reserve from 1949-1951 before becoming active duty on March 10, 1951 – June 7, 1952. He was a veteran of the Korean War and worked as a mechanic on B36 Airplanes, achieving the rank of Airman Second Class. He married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Taylor, in November, 1952.

Roger worked as an engineer for Caterpillar for 37 years, often traveling to Japan, Canada, and various US states to discover the specific needs of the different areas, so that production processes could be streamlined. He was a member of the Plano First Lutheran Church in Plano, IL and the Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church in Aurora, IL.

Upon his retirement in 1995, Roger and Mildred moved to the PebbleCreek Community in Goodyear, AZ. They soon became fast friends with their neighbors, forming a group that they titled, “Da Hoods”, complete with their own flag and logo. Roger enjoyed playing golf and attending various community events, including 24 years of performances of his wife’s chorus, The PebbleCreek Singers. He attended the Church of Joy in Glendale, AZ.

Roger loved to travel to see his children and grandchildren no matter where they lived in the world. He traveled to Guam, Hawaii, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, and Belgium. He was always eager to visit military historical sites wherever he visited. He was honored to have taken two Tiger Cruises while his son was on active duty in the US Navy. He especially cherished his trip to Stavanger, Norway, his ancestral homeland. Along the way Roger collected hats. He loved to display them as reminders of his adventures.

Roger was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and their careers. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred (Taylor) Nelson; daughter, Vicky (Nelson) Moore and her husband, Mark; son, Roger Wayne Nelson II and his wife, Karen; four grandchildren, Kelly (Moore) Schubert and her husband, Jens; Brandon Moore and his wife, Abby; Ashley Nelson and Christopher Nelson; and four great-grandchildren, Eric Schubert, Mallory Moore, Carson Moore, and Silas Moore. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Esther Nelson; brothers, Lloyd Nelson, Stanley Nelson, and Willard (Bill) Nelson, Jr.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home, 102 S. Johnson Street, Newark, IL 60541. Burial will follow at Millington Cemetery in Millington, IL. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/roger-wayne-nelson/.