Ivan Joseph Atkinson

Ivan Joseph Atkinson, 58, passed peacefully away August 16th, at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Logan, Utah. He was born on February 7th, 1968 in Williston, North Dakota. In 1978, Sherwin and Elva Atkinson of Dayton, Idaho were able to adopt both Ivan (age 9) and his sister Linda (age 8). Together they were sealed as a family along with another adopted sister, Diane for time and all eternity in the Ogden, Utah temple.

Ivan graduated from West Side High School. While there, he was the beloved waterboy for both the men's football and basketball teams. During this time, he enjoyed swimming, skiing, drawing, playing the piano, clogging and participating in the Boy Scouts of America program.

Ivan worked in various casinos taking responsibility for the keno area in Nevada, then coastal Oregon. He also rented out beach bikes, worked at the Columbia clothing company and as a groundskeeper at Salishan Golf Links. He met Virginia (Ginny) Squires who had 2 daughters from a previous marriage. They had many happy years together.

Ivan had a great sense of humor and liked to laugh. He was a friend to everyone he met and was famous for calling and checking in on all his friends and family members. Ivan’s favorite saying was “I work for Jesus” and he had a deep spiritual connection with Christ. He was often wearing ballcaps and t-shirts proudly proclaiming his love and mission for Jesus.

Throughout his life, his mother, Elva was his rock and he loved her dearly. After she passed in 2022, Ivan moved back to Utah to be near his sisters Linda and Diane, along with their families. He really enjoyed all his nieces and nephews, teasing them and pulling silly pranks. His favorite pastimes were playing video games and learning all sorts of information from documentaries.

Ivan is survived by his sisters Linda (Blaine) Norris and Diane (John) Malmquist. He was preceded in death by his companion, Ginny Squires, and his parents Sherwin and Elva Atkinson. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A short viewing will be held on August 22nd from 3:00-3:30 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E., Preston. Following this, a graveside service will take place at the Dayton Cemetery at 4:00 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com