ALICE ANNE ATHERTON

Alice Atherton, 86, life-long Ramsey County resident, died suddenly May 7, 2012 in Willits, CA after attending her grandson's wedding. She was surrounded by loving family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 19 at 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, with Pastor David Birkeland officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 18 from 3-7 PM at the church, followed by a family prayer service at 7 pm. Visitation Saturday will be at the church one hour before funeral services. Pallbearers will be Alice's grandchildren, Jessica Schepp, Joshua Atherton, Adam Atherton, Nathan Atherton, Paul Atherton III, and Paul S. Atherton. Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Eulogy will be presented by Adam Atherton, with special music by Joshua Atherton, Carna Atherton-Pray, and Mary Oehlke, accompanied by Lynda Pearson. Alice Anne Bymers was born January 16, 1926 in Fort Ransom, ND, the fifth of eleven children born to Alice Gina (Johnson) and William Wiltje Bymers. She also enjoyed five half-siblings. Theirs was a close and loving family, learning to dance with each other in their kitchen. Alice attended Crary Public Schools, where she excelled in arithmetic, home economics, and reading. It was at a barn dance in Doyon, ND, accompanied by her sister, Sherley, and brother, Bergeth, that she met her one true love, Paul Raymond Atherton. Their love grew through chaperoned dates, mostly dancing, every weekend and lengthy and poetic correspondence. They both saved every missive from the other. Attended by her parents, Alice and Paul were united in marriage Sept. 14, 1942 in Crookston, MN. They welcomed their first-born, Paul, Jr. a year later, followed by Patricia, Sheryl, Jacqueline, Randy, Janie and Barry. Together they raised their brood on the family farm with a firm hand, lively sense of humor, and great love and respect for each other. Sadly, Paul died Nov. 13, 1963, leaving Alice to raise their seven children and run the farm alone, no small feat for a woman of that era. Fortunately, friends and family were always in abundance to lend a hand and an ear. She continued to raise the children with love, humor, and a strong sense of moral and social responsibility, taking great pride in her family. Unfortunately, sadness again touched her heart when her son, Randy died in Feb, 1996 and daughter Patsy in Feb, 2003. Alice loved her church, music, and children, playing an integral part in her grandchildrens' lives. Alice loved the art, social and music activities with her many friends at the Odd Fellows Home. She read voraciously and was always current in news and politics, not to mention "Days..." and "Young and Restless"! She especially loved to travel, visiting nearly every state, either with family or her dear friend, the late Joyce Hoffmeyer. It was while she was in California that she passed away near the majestic Pacific Ocean. Hers was a life well-lived. Alice leaves behind many who loved and adored her, including her children, Paul "Will"(Linda) Atherton, Sheryl(Roy) James, and Barry(Carrie) Atherton, all of Devils Lake, and Jacqueline (Jim) Wolske of Waco, TX, Janie (Mark) Evans of Sacramento, CA, son-in-law Ed Christensen of Bismarck, and daughter-in-law Carna (Clifford) Atherton-Pray of Groton, SD. She is also survived by grandchildren Paul (Paulette) Atherton III, Lisa(Brad) Zimmerman, Julie Sjoberg, Mark Sjoberg, Lori(Alan) Neer, Michael Christensen, Rachel(Jim) Oldani, Betty(Niles) Schwartz, Jolene(Richard) Wee, Jessica Schepp, Lee James, Tracy Fillbrandt, Kim Franz, Matthew(Krista) Briske, Clint(Melissa) Briske, Jimmy Wolske, Stephanie(Todd) Baldwin, Joshua(Merrie) Atherton, Adam(Becca) Atherton, Nathan Atherton, Kristen(David) Jackson, Charles(Melissa) Linck, Stephanie Linck, Lauren Evans, Brianna(Bill) Green, Paul S Atherton, Brandon Atherton, Meghan Atherton, and Monda Atherton, as well as 26 great-grandchildren, sisters Viola Hardy, Arliss(Richard) Allums, Irma Wilson, Corrine(Don) Carroll, and brother Bergeth"Buz"(Esther) Bymers, brother-in-law, Don Atherton, and sister-in-law Marianne Hagen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, children Patricia and Randy, her parents, brothers Donald and Jack, sisters, Jessie, Elaine, Sherley, and Darla, her five half-siblings, in-laws Anna and Cash Atherton and sister-in-law Ruth Hock.