Ethel Ellen Atkinson

Ethel Ellen Atkinson, 96, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 9, 2021.  She was born on July 8, 1925 in Allamakee County, Iowa as the youngest of 11 children born to the late James Orley and Rachel Ellen (Douglas) LeHew.

Ethel grew up in Iowa near the Mississippi River during the Great Depression.  She graduated from Waukon High School in 1942.   At age 17, she moved to St. Paul, MN working for Montgomery Ward until she turned 18, and then worked for Northwestern Airline Modification Center on B-24 bombers for the War Effort.  At the end of WWII, she moved to Indianapolis, IN to re-join her parents, holding a variety of clerical jobs including Kingon’s, LB Price and Western Adjustments.

Ethel married Bob, a Navy Veteran, on November 11, 1949 and became a homemaker.  They moved from Indianapolis to Fortville, IN in 1953 where they raised four children.  She was an active member of the Eden United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, serving in various capacities, including church secretary, and worked at the Eden Elementary School cafeteria after her children were grown.  In 2004 she moved to Indianapolis, living in Nora and attended St. Luke’s UMC.  Ethel loved walking, gardening, and baking.  She enjoyed traveling to visit her children and grandchildren in Indiana, Michigan and Virginia.

Ethel is survived by her children, Sylvia “Jeanie” Flack (Tom), Ken Atkinson (Eve), Paul Atkinson (Suzanne) and Jim Atkinson (Lilya); 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; all of her siblings, Lorraine (infant), Nobel B, Harriett Merten, Thea (infant), Ardee Fascher, Sidney D, Lloyd J, Almeda Boardman, Robert O, Ralph B; and beloved husband, Robert E. Atkinson (1917-1996).

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 12pm at Washington Park East Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eden United Methodist Church or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

The family wishes to thank the providers at Anthology of Meridian Hills, Grace-at-Home, Legacy Healthcare and Elara Care Hospice for their compassionate care.