Elaine K. (Nystrom) Atwood Zuniga

Elaine passed away peacefully at Sandy Health and Rehab on October 1, 2021 at the age of 78 of natural causes.

Elaine was born in American Fork, Utah on May 20, 1943 to Albert J. and Katherine J. (Weber) Nystrom. She attended Pleasant Grove High School. She played the baritone in the marching band in high school and moved to the big city of Salt Lake at the age of 18.

She married Douglas Atwood in 1962, who preceded her in death in 1968. She married David Zuniga in 1987 and they later divorced but remained friends. Elaine retired from Becton Dickinson after working as a tech writer for 23 years. She talked often about the friends she made while working there.

Elaine enjoyed baking, crocheting, and sewing especially. She made jammies, dresses, shorts outfits and Halloween costumes for the grandkids, nieces and nephews. Applesauce cookies were a favorite treat she would bake and share.

Back in the day Elaine was a pretty good bowler and bowled on leagues at Junction and Town & Country Lanes, where she earned a number of pins and trophies. She never outgrew her appreciation for toys and had her collection displayed lovingly where visitors could enjoy it as well.

In her later years she enjoyed participating in activities at the senior center with her sister and brother-in-law. She also liked attending services at Christ Lutheran Church until she was no longer mobile enough to go in person.

Elaine was a compassionate person and would try to help friends in need if she could. She donated to causes that touched her and was still sending birthday presents even when she was being cared for at the rehab center.

Elaine is survived by her children Frank Atwood and Wendy Atwood Karsch; sister Elsie (Craig) Whaley and brother Albert (Terri) Nystrom; grandchildren Athena (Brian) Jeremy, Jeffrey Karsch, and Aubrey Karsch; and seven great-grandchildren. She had many nieces and nephews, spanning three generations. Elaine's sister, Linda Mortensen lost her battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2020.

We will miss you and look forward to seeing you again someday.

Special thanks go to the staff at Intermountain Medical Center and Sandy Health and Rehab, health care professionals who love our family members and often don't get enough recognition for what they do.

Funeral services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 240 East 5600 South, Murray, Utah on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 - 10:45 am.