Viola Clara (Vestweber) WATKINS

WATKINS, VESTWEBER, BEENEN, CRAWFORD, SMITH, WHIPPLE, MEINTS, BROOKS, CAMPBELL, WILSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/29/2010 at 23:29:35

Mason City Globe Gazette -- Iowa
November 29, 2010

September 25, 1920 -- November 26, 2010

BELMOND — Viola C. Watkins, age 90, of Belmond, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, with her loving daughters at her side. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Belmond. The Rev. James Harbaugh will be officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to the St. John Lutheran Church, the family or the donor’s choice.

Viola Clara Vestweber, the daughter of Gus and Grace (Beenen) Vestweber, was born on Sept. 25, 1920, at the home of her aunt, Anna Beenen, in rural Alexander. She received her education through Alexander schools and graduated from Alexander High School, where she played basketball in the girls program. Viola was united in marriage to Harold Richard Watkins on July 30, 1940, at the church parsonage in Tama. The couple’s union was blessed with two daughters, Karen Crawford and Carol Smith.

Following their marriage, the couple farmed in the Alexander, Lime Springs and Coulter areas, before returning to farm and make their home on a farm west of Belmond. In addition to helping Harold with the operation of the farming tasks and raising their daughters, Viola worked for many years of her life outside the home. She was employed for a number of years for Dale Kessler at Kessler Drug Store, Fred Pals at his neighborhood store near the school, and for 27 years at P & G Grocery Store in Belmond. Her soft nature, friendly personality, and warm and welcoming smile were wonderful assets to her working with the public. Viola enjoyed any activity, event, or occasion that involved spending time with her family. One of her cherished pasttimes was family camping excursions to a favorite campgrounds near the river at Alden. She loved the solitude and watching embers of a glowing campfire and the simple pleasures of just being with those she loved around that campfire. The couple looked forward to camping trips to many other locations as well and carried on this love of the outdoors up until Harold’s passing in April of 2002.

Viola continued to enjoy camping with her family for a time after Harold died. In addition to their camping outings, Viola and Harold had traveled to various places including Europe, Niagra Falls, and most of the western United States. Viola loved to fly and had traveled on several trips with her twin sister, Iola Whipple and Iola’s husband, Merle. Viola, Harold and the family loved going on fishing trips to Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota and to Canada. In earlier years, she and her husband could also be found spending time on the golf course. She enjoyed Saturday night card clubs, raising a flower and vegetable garden, canning and baking. Viola loved to start her days with an early morning walk with her daughters, regardless of the weather outside. She also made many beautiful hand made doilies and afghans for her family and friends.

Viola was a life long member of the St. John Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was active throughout her life in the various offices and positions of the WELCA at the church and had served as a Sunday school teacher and as Sunday school superintendent for many years. Following Harold’s death, Viola continued to live on her own until moving to the Rehabilitation Center in April of 2005. During her years there she enjoyed many activities and friendships with fellow residents and staff. Those who had the privilege of crossing the path of Viola’s life journey will remember her as a warm and welcoming lady with a beautiful smile and welcoming twinkle in her eyes. Her family will cherish memories of mom and Grandma Viola’s nurturing and loving ways.

Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of her daughters, Karen (David) Crawford, Belmond, Carol Smith, Belmond; her grandchildren, Rodney (Lisa) Meints, Darin (Lori) Meints, Kevin (Kim) Smith, Rick (Kim) Brooks; her great grandchildren, Jessica, Merissa, Stephanie, Austin, James, Joel, Kody, Taylor, Kyle, and Nicholas; her step- grandsons, Jeff, Marc, and Matt Crawford, and step- granddaughter, Ann Campbell; her step-great- grandchildren, Madison, Alivia, Loren, Jackson, Andrew, and Carson; her twin sister, Iola Whipple, Mason City; sister-in-law, Lorraine Wilson, Newport, Ore.; and other extended family members. Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold, on April 22, 2002; an infant great-grandson, Benjiman Meints; son-in-law, Alvie Smith, and brother-in-law, Merle Whipple. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond.