Laura Ellen (Gudde) Atkins
Laura Ellen (Gudde) Atkins was born on July 3, 1946, in Warrensburg, Missouri, to Chris and Katie Mae Gudde. She passed away, at the age of 79, on January 12, 2026 surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of service, faith, family, and quiet dedication.
She attended Centerview Grade School and graduated from Holden High School in 1964, where she earned the Betty Crocker Award for excellence in her Home Economics course. She went on to attend Central Missouri State College, continuing her studies in Home Economics, a field that reflected her lifelong commitment to home, family, and community.
While working at McQuitty’s Café, she met the love of her life, Larry Atkins. The two were married on June 14, 1969, and made their home on Larry’s great-grandparents’ farm in the Magnolia community. Together, they raised two sons, Derrick and Tony, and shared 56 years on the same family farm, a place filled with memories, hard work, and deep roots.
She was a devoted mother and homemaker, serving as a 4-H leader and faithful baseball team driver for her boys, always supporting their activities. After her sons graduated from high school, she worked for the Holden Senior Center, Warrensburg Senior Center, and the Warrensburg School District, continuing her pattern of serving others.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond her professional life. She volunteered for more than 30 years at Western Missouri Medical Center, where her kindness and reliability were deeply appreciated. Her faith was central to her life, and she served her church with distinction as church secretary and past Clerk of the Session for the First Presbyterian Church of Holden. She also served as a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
An avid participant in rabbit shows, she held numerous leadership roles within the rabbit community. She served as secretary for the Havana Rabbit Club, Silver Rabbit Club, Mid-West Trail Blazers Club, and the Missouri Havana Club, and was Chairman of the Missouri State Ways and Means Committee.
In her quieter moments, she enjoyed time with family, reading, crocheting, and volunteering her services wherever there was a need. She and Larry enjoyed attending several different functions which took them to many locations across the U.S. and into Canada.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Katie Mae Gudde and sister Joann Gudde, father and mother-in-law J.C. and Ronda Atkins, brother-in-law Edwin Atkins. She is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Atkins, of the home; her two sons Derrick (Charlene) Atkins of Centerview and Tony Atkins of Holden; five grandchildren Cole (Carolina) Ridgway of Holden, Chet (Katerina) Ridgway of Evanston, Illinois, Christopher Atkins of Centerview, Lena Weeks of Warrensburg, and Kasey Johnson-Atkins of Holden; two great-grandsons Rowan and Callum Ridgway; and her brother C.L. Gudde of Centerview.
Her life was one of faithful service, love for family, and dedication to community, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, and her family will forever hold her close in their hearts.
Pallbearers for the funeral service were: Cole Ridgway, Chet Ridgway, Christopher Atkins, Harold Sterne, Randy Gudde, and Joe Good.
Honorary Pallbearers were: Lynn Gudde, Richard Watts, and Howard Good.
Funeral services were: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Visitation: was at 1:00 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m.
Burial was at New Liberty Cemetery.
Services were conducted by Williams Funeral Chapel, 609 E. 10th Street, Holden, Missouri 64040.
