Sharon Reading Atkinson
July 4, 1944 – February 10, 2026

Born on July 4, 1944, Sharon Reading Atkinson was long convinced that the celebrations and fireworks were entirely in her honor. When she finally realized that they weren’t, she was devastated. Nevertheless, she loved sharing her birthday with the whole country for the rest of her life. Sharon was a naturally outgoing person and loved to talk. It was naturally fitting that she wanted to become a teacher, and she began practicing her teaching skills at a young age. Her younger sisters recall often being forced to be her pupils and being served stale crackers for “school lunch.” Eventually, she stopped forcing her siblings to be her students and focused on her dreams to have real pupils.

Sharon attended schools in Logan, UT and graduated from high school in 1962, then she majored in elementary education at USU, and finally was a real-life teacher. She taught school and worked in the library until she married Spencer Atkinson in 1967. However, she never lost her love of education and learning as she began her life as a mother.

Her daughter, Paula, was born in 1969, her first set of twin boys, Doug and Bill, were born, in 1970, the second set of twin boys, Dee and Alan, came in 1971, and the youngest son, Phillip, completed the family in 1978. Once she started having children, Sharon’s life was centered around her family, the farm, and the Church, all of which were blessed by her in countless ways.

She was always active in the Samaria and Malad communities. She served on committees and volunteered even when she wasn’t on a committee. She loved the traditions of the Easter Egg Hunt and Samaria Days, among others, and working in the Blue Goose and at the Malad Senior Center over the years.

She served in countless callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from being a temple worker to her favorite, a primary teacher. Just as she loved children, children loved her. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren loved her and always knew that she loved them. She will be greatly missed.

Sharon passed away Feb. 10, 2026, after a short illness. She is preceded in death by: her parents, Donna Hirshi Reading and Karl Reading; her husband, Spencer Atkinson; a son, Bill Atkinson; and her brother, Rodney Reading.

She is survived by: Sisters, Gayle (Bob) Godfrey and Karla (Allen Ayoub) Reading; Her children, Paula (Wyatt) Zohner; Doug (Kathy) Atkinson; VeAnn (Todd) Trimble; Dee (Jodi) Atkinson; Alan (Andrea) Atkinson; Phillip (Stacey) Atkinson; 23 grandchildren, and 21 (at the last count) great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 16th at 12 pm at the Malad 2nd 5th Ward building, 20 South 100 West, Malad, ID.

Viewings will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15th 6-7:30 pm and 10:30-11:30 am Monday, Feb. 16th at Horsley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oneida County Library.
Venmo: @Oneida-County-Library
For mailing donations: PO Box 185, Malad, ID 83252
For in person donations: 31 N 100 W, Malad, ID 83252