Josephine "Jo" Watson 1919 - 2016

WATSON, CARADONNA, GRAFFEO

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2016 at 10:49:53

Sioux City Journal
18 May 2016

SIOUX CITY | Josephine "Jo" Watson, 96, of Sioux City passed away peacefully Monday, May 16, 2016, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home following a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Retirement Home Chapel, with the Revs. Dennis Meinen and Angelo Ossino officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary at 4 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Jo was born on Dec. 5, 1919, in Sioux City, the daughter of Giovanni and Antonina (Caradonna) Graffeo. Jo grew up in South Sioux City and graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1938. She graduated summa cum laude from Briar Cliff College in May 1942.

Jo married Samuel M. Watson on Dec. 27, 1941. He passed away on June 24, 1995.

Jo was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. She belonged to the Carmelite Third Order (Secular). She was a past member of the Carmelite Board, Auxiliary Legion of Mary, the Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Survivors include two sons, Dan Watson (Marcia), and Lynn Watson, both of Sioux City; a daughter, JoAnn Sorensen (Randy) of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Nanette Krentel (Steve), Steve Watson (Sarah), Gina Watson (Brett Gerkin), and Kimberly and Lisa Watson; and six great-grandchildren, Justin Krentel, Lakota and Tallis Watson, and Gryphon, Coraline and Emily Gerkin.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Samuel; a daughter-in-law, Marla; brothers, Jasper, Sam, Cedo, John and Peter Graffeo; and sisters, Veta Agrusa, Katherine Clark, Mary Burger, and Lena Gallentine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmelite Monastery in Sioux City.