Rosanne Atkisson

On September 21, 2024, our dear Rosanne Atkisson passed away peacefully of complications from congestive heart failure. She was 60 years old. Rosanne was born on February 28, 1964 to Mary Ann and Curtis T. Atkisson Jr. in Houston, Texas. As the oldest daughter, she lovingly helped Mary Ann and Curt nurture her five younger siblings, spanning 13 years of age and across 11 moves.

Rosanne loved family, reading, traveling, family history, pets (Marty and Katie most recently and Dulce in childhood), games (which she usually won, especially at Scrabble and Monopoly), parties, cooking, book clubs, colorful clothes and jewelry, scrapbooking, beautiful serving platters, her unique and eclectic armadillo collection, and lunch dates.

Rosanne taught elementary school for over 25 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District across multiple grades. She picked the best storybooks and read them to her students with life and joy. Her passion for reading and elaborate, hands-on learning activities inspired her students. With dedication, she would travel to the historic Spanish Missions in California in order to help make them more real and to customize her educational activities for her students. Rosanne was a lifelong student herself as she earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She also earned her bachelors in teaching from Utah State University.

She learned fluent Spanish at a young age while the family was living in Cordoba, Argentina. When the family returned to the States, Rosanne had to learn how to play with friends in English. When she served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama and Costa Rica, the Spanish language returned easily to her and she spoke like a native. Her language skills continued to serve her as she was a bilingual teacher throughout her career. Her language fluency allowed her to connect with parents and students in unique and meaningful ways.

Travel was a huge passion. Rosanne expertly planned, researched, and discovered fun, unique adventures. She traveled the world and kept detailed scrapbooks featuring her experiences for her students, family and friends to enjoy.

Rosanne’s love language was undoubtedly gift giving. She possessed a unique ability to see into the heart of those she loved and found deeply personal gifts as an expression of her love. To be loved by Rosanne was to feel seen, remembered, and understood. Like her mother, she never spoke an ill word about others and had a talent for putting a positive spin on even the worst of situations.

Family history work was a huge part of Rosanne’s life. Her sharp mind enabled Rosanne to remember places, dates, family connections and stories with extreme accuracy. Not only did Rosanne develop bonds with her ancestors, but she also helped others to create similar connections with their ancestors by serving as a Family History consultant for over twenty years. She was also a dedicated leader in Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Rosanne was an active member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a disciple of Jesus Christ and contributed to her ward congregations in Burbank, California and Spanish Fork, Utah.

Rosanne never did anything ordinary! As a cook, she searched for unusual and delicious new recipes to share with family and friends. As a fashionista, she found colorful and unique clothes and jewelry and loved to dress to impress. As a friend and sister, she made deep and meaningful connections. As an artist, she masterfully created—from her heart—each student activity, scrapbook page, cross stitch, or painting (which her family members proudly display).

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann Maughan Atkisson. She is survived by her father Curtis T. Atkisson, Jr. (wife Ann Benson) and by Rosanne’s siblings, Jeanne (husband Steve Bilson and children, Laura, William, Brooke), Curtis (wife Nettie and children Annie, Spencer, Audrey), David (wife Connie and children Kayla [husband Dave Bogle and children Olivia, Henry, William], Kara [husband Jun Koo], Megan [husband Matt Powley], Ashlyn, Emily [husband Seth Gould]), Valerie (husband Odie de Moura), and Michael (wife Kristen and children Greta, Peter, AnnMarie, Wynn). Her legacy lives on through her family, friends, multiple generations of students, and especially through her nieces and nephews, whom she loved and adored! The longing for her laughter, love, conversation, whit and companionship will not dim with time.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Valerie and Odie de Moura who welcomed Rosanne into their home and helped to care for her the past two and a half years.

They have truly gone above and beyond in serving and caring for Rosanne.

Family and friends are all welcome to join us for the funeral proceedings on October 5, 2024, in Mountain Daylight Time as follows:

11:00 AM - Visitation with family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 870 East Canyon Road, Spanish Fork, UT 84660

12:30 PM - Funeral also at the Church or watch the services online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88426273689 or by clicking the blue "Watch Services" button at the top of the obituary.

3:00 PM - Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery-enter from the southwest entrance

5:00 PM - Open House at Curt and Ann’s house. Friends and family are welcome!