Alice Margaret (Atkinson) Cold, age 97 of North Platte, NE and Centennial, CO, formerly of Chino Valley, AZ and Lewistown, MT, passed away Wednesday July 25, 2018 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Alice was born on March 29, 1921 in Mariaville, NE to Fredric James and Idella Mae (Jackson) Atkinson. She grew up in Springview, NE and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in Springview. After a 3-year courtship, Alice married Elmer Cold on March 31, 1942 in Orange, CA while he was serving in the army during World War II. After the war ended, they returned to Elmer’s family farm north of Springview where they lived for 5 years. They then moved to Alice’s uncle’s ranch in the Dovetail area near Winnett, MT for 5 years. After an unfortunate 3-year drought, they moved to Lewistown, MT where they resided for 50 years before relocating to Chino Valley, AZ in December 1999. She remained in Chino Valley for 9 years after the 2008 death of Elmer and spent the last year living with her daughters in Colorado and Nebraska. Alice was an accomplished homemaker, wife, and mother and will be remembered for her genealogy and photo archives. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and continuously working on the family genealogy. Her first working years in Lewistown were spent helping Elmer in sales for Fuller Brush. She was involved in education as school secretary for St. Leo’s Elementary School, manager of the St. Leo’s Hot Lunch Program and finally office manager for the satellite location of the College of Great Falls established in Lewistown, MT in 1974. She was a member of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church of Chino Valley, AZ, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, choir, Catholic Women, Home & School Assoc., Montana Democratic Women, and a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary. The treasured memories of Alice include her welcoming inclusive spirit, her genuine interest in everyone and her soft heart. Values she passed on to her descendants are independence, persistence, leading by example, empathy and respect for diversity, inclusiveness, community participation and a sense of organization.

Alice will be mourned by friends and family including 6 children, Dan (Sue) Cold of San Ramon, CA, Dick (Carol) Cold of Chino Valley, AZ, Nancy (Rick) Deeds of North Platte, NE, Shonni (Fabricio) Zelaya of Centennial, CO, Trent Cold of Prescott, AZ, and Keith Cold of Bozeman, MT; 14 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Elmer, her husband of 66 years; brothers Bill, Ed and Walt Atkinson; and grandson Stephen Cold.

Christian Wake Services and Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Monday July 30, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday July 31, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Mark Seiker as Celebrant. Burial will be with her beloved husband at the Chino Valley Cemetery in Arizona on Friday August 3, 2018. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.