Harold Richard WATKINS

WATKINS, CRAWFORD, WILSON, WHIPPLE, REED, VESTWEBER, HAMIEL, SMITH, BROOKS, MEINTS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/23/2006 at 23:43:46

Harold Watkins, 82, Belmond, died April 22, 2002. Funeral services were Wednesday, April 24, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Lowell H. Halvorson officiating. Organist were be Carol Severson. Vocalists were Diana Suntken and Dan Beenen. Ushers were Hank Gerdes, Bob Kalkwarf, and Soupy Cramer. Honorary bearers were Joe Kaiser, Bob Erickson, Roger Boelman, George Crawford, Lambert Barkema, and John Halfwassen. Casket bearers were Rodney Meints, Rick Brooks, Darin Meints, Bruce Whipple, Kevin Smith, and Wendel Whipple. Interment was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Harold Richard Watkins was born August 17, 1919 in Eagle Grove, the son of Clyde and Clara (Reed) Watkins. He went to country school in the rural Clarion area and then later attended high school in Clarion. Harold and Viola Vestweber were united in marriage July 3, 1940. From this union two daughters were born, Karen and Carol. Harold farmed for several years in the Alexander area where he was also employed at Latham Seeds. He also farmed in the Lime Springs and Coulter area before returning to a farm west of Belmond. He worked at the Tomco Seed Corn Plant, Ackerman Plumbing and Heating, Lloyd's Hardware, and later owned and operated Harold's Repair Shop. After retirement he continued to do repair work and sell mowers. Harold enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and woodworking. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and as an usher.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Duane Watkins; sister, Maxine Hamiel; son-in-law, Alvie Smith; and great-grandson, Benjamin Meints. Survivors include his wife Viola; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Dave Crawford, daughter, Carol Smith, all of Belmond; eight grandchildren, Rodney and Lisa Meints, Darin and Lori Meints, Kevin and Kim Smith, Rick and Kim Brooks; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Merissa, Stephanie, Austin, James, Joel, Kody, Taylor, Kyle and Nicholas; step-grandsons, Jeff, Marc and Matt Crawford; step-daughter, Ann Crawford; step-great- grandchildren, Madison and Abigail; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Bob Wilson of Newport, Oregon; and sisters-in-law, Iola Whipple of Mason City and Sharon Watkins of Cedar Rapids.

April 24, 2002
©Belmond Independent 2002