Dawn Rose Atkinson

Dawn Rose Atkinson, 82, was called home in the early hours of Saturday, October 26, 2013. Always loving the Harvest colors of Fall, her spirit flew high to Heaven with a joyous heart. She was born Tuesday, February 10, 1931 in New Jersey. Growing up with her two younger sisters, Carol and Claudia, their childhood showed her good and hard times, health and illness, helping to make her a strong, free spirited woman with a dash of Gypsy. The love of her gentle mother, Margaret, showed her that she could do anything and to always love others. She returned to school several times in her life to complete her dreams.

Loving her extended family of cousins, while growing up with Dawn, she knew she would have a large family. Even to the end of her life, she loved a closeness with her cousins.

Dawn married a young man, Monte Little that she grew up with in the same neighborhood. Together Dawn and Monte Little had seven sons and two daughters. They named all their sons using the same initials as her husband, MRL. She loved Sunday rides after church, trips in the woods or mountains. She loved the colors of Fall, with Aspen Gold being her favorite color. Many trips including camping, fishing, or sightseeing were taken to settle the "Gypsy side" while her teaching special needs children and nursing was her "loving side"..With children in tow, she lived in many states including, New Jersey, California, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, Washington State and Florida. She returned to Florida in her final years for the warm weather, water and beaches.

Dawn's pride showed when people would notice the pictures of her five sons in their Military uniforms on the living room wall. She took pride in her appearance, loving to have her nails done and having her hair styled just right.

Her strength was tested with the deaths of her mother and her husband. Even more so with the untimely deaths of her sons, Matthew in 1985, Mitchell in 2011, and grandson, Matthew in 2002.

Her large family expanded with four favorite nieces, 17 grandchildren, Tammy, Natalie, Nathan, Maggie, Kim, Aaron, Jennifer, Nick, Tylor, April Brandon, Mark Jr., Naomi, Jeremy, Caralynn, Amber and Master Eric; 34 great-grandchildren and 3 great-greatgrandchildren. Dawn had a life well lived and will be missed dearly by all of us, but never forgotten. She was one of a kind. Without her strong "Free Spirit", we would not be here.

Dawn is survived by her children, Marguerite (George) Patton; Monte (Charlotte) Little; Michael (Vera) Little; Mark (Jessie) Little; Monica (Steve) Cannon; Martin Little, Margaret Peterson, Morris Little and Michael Hyder; nieces Dawn, Dianne, Donna and Danene. Evergreen Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, Colorado is handling the Arrangements.