Terril Atkins

Terril was born in Butte, MT on March 10, 1944; the first born to Erwin and Janet Christensen. In the coming years, siblings Walter and Pam joined the family in Dillon, MT. Terril was involved in many performing arts activities until she graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1962. Her love of performing continued to the Pasadena Playhouse where she studied theater arts until 1965. Terril was an independent woman and spent her 20s touring the country with the ‘Al Bello and Mapes Fun Capers Show’ and ‘Bill Norvas and his Sunshine Generation.’ From 1975 until 1980 she owned and ran ‘Alfalfas,’ a whole foods restaurant, in Las Vegas, NV. While in Las Vegas, she reconnected with Mike Atkins from her hometown of Dillon and they married in 1978. They moved to Salt Lake City in 1980 and expanded their family with Michael John Jr., followed by Katherine Estelle in 1983. Terril was active in the community and ward, serving in various callings and even having a children’s dance studio where she taught lessons. Following her divorce from Mike, Terril had a fresh start with a new neighborhood, new house, and new career path: teaching. She worked tirelessly to attend University of Utah during the day and waitressing at Little America in the evenings. In 1993 she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts and a teaching certificate. She taught speech and theater at Bennion Junior High until her retirement in 2008. After retiring she returned to the family home in Dillon MT where she was able to live a tranquil life; visits from her grandchildren and friends and family, gardening and entertaining, lunching with her ladies, volunteering for her community, photography and writing. Terril unexpectedly passed on May 17, 2022 she loved and respected the earth and now that her body has returned to it, we know she is at peace. Her absence will be felt by many but her indomitable spirit lives on through her incredible life story and the memories in our hearts. Preceded in death by her parents, Erwin and Janet Christensen. Survived by her children, Michael John Atkins Jr. and Katherine Estelle Atkins. Grandchildren, Lukas Mathew Sharp, Lilla Katherine Sharp, and Brooklynn Christine Atkins. Brother, Walter Christensen. Sister, Pam Ipson. Niece and nephews, Shane Christensen, Jessica Ipson, and Alex Ipson. And many other treasured family and friends. Services will be held May 26th. Visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Services to follow. Located at Brundage Funeral Home - 300 S. Atlantic St. Dillon, MT. There will also be a live streaming of the service on the Brundage Funeral Home Facebook page.