Gordon Atzen

Gordon Manly Atzen, 88, and Marguerite Elizabeth “Peg” Atzen, 83, of Altoona, IA passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021 and Tuesday, November 30, 2021 respectively. Gordon was born in Lake Park, Iowa on November 21, 1933. After High School he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge following his service, he joined the Federal Aviation Administration for 38 years before retiring in 1989. Peg was born in Berwick, Iowa on March 27, 1938. She was a high school history teacher before she became a mother. Gordon and Peg married on August 12, 1961, just recently celebrating 60 years together. They were blessed with three sons, Mike, Scott, and Steve. Among raising her three boys, she continued to substitute teach at Southeast Polk High School.

Peg and Gordon raised their three boys in the Four Mile Area and were very involved in supporting each of the boys as they grew up in their activities. They were well loved by their friends and their community and were very active at Ivy Centennial United Methodist Church. They spent many summers vacationing with their boys at their Northern Minnesota lake cabin, making a multitude of memories. After retirement, they built their dream log home on Woman Lake near Longville, Minnesota. Peg enjoyed baking, cooking, yard work and watching her grandchildren jump off the dock, and hosting her family for numerous summer and winter vacations in their beautiful lake home. If you were lucky enough to have a conversation with Peg, you know exactly how intelligent and well-spoken she was. Gordon loved to work on his yard at the lake, pop popcorn at the local turtle races in town, be active in the Lions Club and drive his family on the pontoon boat across the lake, enjoying Grandma’s homemade pizza and adult beverages on their way to Frosty’s ice cream shop. If you were lucky enough to know Gordon, you know how extremely hard working and passionate he was about the ones he cared about. They both loved to golf, were active at Longville Community Church where they participated in the church choir, and loved to watch sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.

After 24 incredible years on the lake, Peg and Gordon returned to Altoona to be closer to their family. They were able to enjoy cherished time with their growing family back home and continued to show their family the commitment and support that they had for each other. Peg and Gordon were also well known by their beloved dog, Charlie, who was a huge part of their life especially in their final years. The passing of the two of them in such a short time is a testament to their love and commitment to each other and their family recognizes that it was the ending to their 60 plus year love story.

Gordon was preceded in death by parents, Ray Atzen and Leona Blomstran; stepfather Bertil Blomstran and sisters, Barb and Sandra. He is survived by his brother, Terry. Peg is preceded in death by parents, Bill and Marguerite Newell and sister, Pat. She is survived by her brother Bill. Peg and Gordon are survived and loved by their children, Mike (Jeanette), Scott (Kristi), and Steve (Angie). They also are loved and have played a huge part in the lives of their nieces, nephews, many grandchildren, and recently great grandchildren.

It was Peg and Gordon’s wishes to not have a formal service. Memorial contributions can be made to Scott Atzen at 9940 NE 75th Ave, Mitchellville, IA 50169 and the proceeds will be used for a memorial park bench to be placed in the Altoona Lions Park by Grandpa Newell’s flagpole.

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