Funeral services for Gordon M. Atherton, 86, of Aurelia, will be Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 10:30 A.M., at the First Congregational Church in Aurelia with Pastor Bruce Rapp officiating. Burial will be in the Barnes Township Cemetery at Linn Grove, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 P. M. until 7:00 P.M., with the family being present from 5:00 till 7:00, at the First Congregational Church in Aurelia. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Gordon Maxwell Atherton was born November 21, 1931, the only child of Duard Maxwell and Lucille (Libby) Atherton at Sioux Rapids.  He graduated from the Sioux Rapids High School in 1950. Gordon served in the US Army from March of 1952 until March of 1954. On July 17, 1952, Gordon married Marilyn Movick at the Lutheran Church in Linn Grove. In 1954 they lived in Kentucky where Gordon sold furniture before coming to Aurelia. They farmed from 1954 until 1992, raising hogs and sheep. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, where he served on many boards. Gordon enjoyed spending time with family, playing cards, gardening, and reading.

Gordon died Friday, November 24th, 2017 at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

Preceding Gordon in death were his parents, Max and Lucille Atherton, parents-in-law Ben and Evelyn (Olson) Movick, one sister-in-law, Karen Thrasher, and one brother-in-law, Kenneth Peterson.

Survivors include; his wife Marilyn of Aurelia, two sons; Gary and his wife Janet Atherton of Pocahontas, and Greg and his wife Peggy Atherton of Ocheyedan, one daughter, Sherri and her husband Greg Schoenfelder of Sioux City. Also surviving are six grandchildren; Sandra and husband Jason Warren of Spencer, Grant and wife Rachel Atherton of Iowa City, Alexis Atherton, Gannon Atherton, Garrett Atherton all of Ocheyedan, and Jack Schoenfelder of Sioux City, four great-grandchildren; Brayden, Carter, Addison and Avery Warren of Spencer, one sister-in-law, Jan Peterson of Aurelia, and other relatives and friends.