Delphine M. (Beenken) KUHLERS WATERMILLER

WATERMILLER, BEENKEN, HOLM, KUHLERS, BELL, SABOTTKA, OHRT, WOLFF, PINGELL, OVERBECK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/6/2007 at 20:55:11

BELMOND - Delphine M. Watermiller, 81, of Belmond and formerly of Hampton, died Tuesday (April 3, 2007) at the Belmond Medical Center, surrounded by the love and support of her family following a courageous battle with complications of liver failure. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 6, at Bethany Reformed Church, 919 First St. N.E. in Belmond, with the Rev. Philip Arnold officiating. Burial will be in the Meservey Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E. in Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services on Friday at church. Memorials may be directed in Delphine's name to her family or to the donor's choice.

Delphine Beenken, the daughter of Donald and Clara Margaret (Holm) Beenken, was born May 23, 1925, in Titonka. She attended rural schools through the eighth grade. As a young lady she took on the responsibilities of helping her father raise her siblings following her mother Clara's death on Oct. 31, 1948. Her father died in 1972. This early role as a caregiver to her family taught her hard work and to be independent throughout her entire life. On March 5, 1948, Delphine was united in marriage to Alvin Kuhlers at Klemme. Following their marriage they raised their family and owned and operated Al's Place, a bar and grill in Belmond for many years. Alvin passed away on Oct. 5, 1971. In addition to working at Al's Place, Delphine was employed as a cook at the Belmond Health Care Center for a period of time. She later married Herman Watermiller in 1975 at Belmond. They moved to Hampton after a period of time, where Herman was employed with Winnebago Industries until his retirement. They continued to reside in Hampton. Herman passed away in October 2002. Delphine moved to Belmond 1½ years ago to live with her daughter, Pam, and be near her children and their families as her health declined. Delphine had many pastimes, including raising a beautiful garden filled with flowers and produce much of which she canned. Her family and friends will remember her wonderful cooking skills and her enjoyment for hosting holiday meals and other gatherings. The family recalls that Easter was her favorite holiday. Her grandkids will miss Grandma's cooking and Easter and other occasions with Grandma. Delphine had a lifelong love of music and was very instrumental. Those who knew this trait will reflect back upon listening to her play the guitar and her yodeling skills. She loved to dance, her favorite being the two step. Delphine was also fond of catching up on what was happening on the soaps, mostly "Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns." Delphine was a fairly reserved person, but she was also always up for a good visit.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Marlin (Linda) Kuhlers, of Belmond; daughter, Pamela (Fred) Bell, of Belmond; son, Ronnie Lee Kuhlers and special friend, Shelly Black, of Belmond; stepson, Jeff (Karen) Watermiller, of Mason City; her siblings, brother, Roger (Laura) Beenken, of Clarion, sisters, Velma (David) Sabottka, Roberts, Wis., and Barbara (Carl) Ohrt of Cedar Rapids, and brother, Alan (Dixie) Beenken, of Clarion; sisters-in-law, Nancy Beenken of Belmond and Marie Beenken, of Clarion; her grandchildren, Darcy Kruger and fiance, Jeremy Wolff, of Belmond, Becky (Jeff) Pingell of Webster City, Tally Bell of Vancouver, Wash., Eron Kuhlers and Miranda Kuhlers, both of Apex, N.C., Caden, Caylee and Carlee Kuhlers, all of Belmond; great-grandchildren, Keaton, Dawson and Jamison, all of Belmond, and Payne and Madison of Webster City. Those preceding Delphine in death include her parents; her two husbands, Alvin and Herman; two brothers, Russell and Donald Beenken; a sister, Marvella Overbeck; and two infant sisters, Marilyn and Deloris Beenken. Andrews Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette
4/5/2007