The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Joan Aktin passed away on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at the age of 80 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Joan was born Jan. 15, 1941 to Lawrence and Mable Unrein in Sterling . She graduated from Merino High School in 1960.

In 1958 Joan met Robert (Jim) Atkin Jr. They married on Sept. 10, 1960, making their home west of Sterling. In 1967, Jim and Joan purchased and moved to a farm south of St. Peter's. There they raised four children. They retired from the farm in 1996 and moved into Fleming where they had the very best neighbors, Rick and Diane Unrein. The couple enjoyed spending the winter months in Port Aransas, Texas, making many winter Texas friends from all over the United States.

Joan was always busy. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren compete in sporting competitions, family gatherings, especially Christmas, annual camping and fishing trips to Steamboat Lake and playing bridge. Joan played golf twice a week and worked in her yard until her diagnosis. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Tri-L-C Club. She served on the Fleming Community Library Association and the Fleming Historical Society.

Joan is survived by her children Luann and Dave Koester, Doug and Lori Atkin, Bonnie and Paul Brownell and Bob and Joan Atkin; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers Harold, Paul, Gerald, Ron, Gary and Ray; sister-in-law Carol Atkin; and many other beloved family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband; parents Lawrence and May Unrein; parents-in-law Robert James Atkin Sr. and Margaret Atkin; and brother-in-law Jerry Atkin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Plains, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church or the Fleming Historical Society.

The family will receive friends Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. with Vigil and Recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 6 p.m. at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Oct. 30 10 a.m. at Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church south of Fleming with Father Jerry Rohr officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.