Teresa Walters

On Mother's Day, May 12, 2024, Teresa Lee (Atkinson) Walters completed her earthly journey at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN. She was 66 years old.

Teresa was born in Nevada, MO, to Harold and Vera Atkinson on February 19, 1958. The second of four daughters, Teresa moved several times before the family settled in Rochester, MN, in 1963. She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1976, where she was active in the JM Rockettes, show choir, and student council. She earned her legal secretary certificate from Alexandria Area Technical Institute in 1977.

Throughout her life, Teresa held various jobs and enjoyed working with people. Early in life, she drove children to school on a Rochester school bus, sold Tupperware, and used her legal secretary skills. In 1985, she opened her own business, "My Office," to provide administrative support to small businesses in Rochester. After living in Round Rock, TX, for five years, she returned to Rochester, where she began working for Allman and Associates as an accountant and reviewer of mechanical drawings. She was instrumental in two major renovations, the Residences of Old City Hall and the Residences of Old Town Hall, and the construction of Zumbro Valley Mental Health Services. She established Multiple Financial Services, Inc. (MFSI), a property management company during that time. She sold the company in 2015 to spend more time with family.

Giving to others was a vital part of Teresa's life. In the mid-1980s, she was an active participant on the Rochesterfest Board, a member of the Rochester Optimist Club, and a member of the American Business Women's Association. For most of her life, Teresa was an energetic member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, where she sang in the choir and coordinated many youth activities.

Her most important role in life was caring for, loving, and championing her family. She believed in all of them and was always there to support them in any way she could.

Teresa is survived by her partner, David A. Walters; her daughter, Dr. Laura C. Walters; her mother, Vera Atkinson; and sisters, Karen Atkinson and Carla (Brian) Nelson. Aunt Teresa will never be forgotten by her nieces, Cora Rose, Kyia (Mark) Fleig, and Kara (Mike) Gibson; her nephews, Jeffery (Darci) Nelson, Nicolas Nelson, and Ehrich Rodgers; and her 14 great nieces and nephews.

Teresa was preceded in death by her father, Harold (Corky) D. Atkinson, and her older sister, Sheryl D. Iverson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at UCC Congregational Church in Rochester, Minnesota.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Teresa's memory to Seasons Hospice of Rochester, MN.