Edward Watkins
September 27, 1949 ~ February 22, 2012
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Ed Watkins, 62, of rural St. Lawrence, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a three month fight with cancer.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller with Pastor Bob Ohnstad officiating. Burial followed at Beulah Cemetery, rural St. Lawrence. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2012 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Edward Lewis was born to Ralph and Wanda (Gill) Watkins on September 27, 1949 at Huron, South Dakota. He lived his whole life on a farm in the St. Lawrence area. He graduated from Miller High School in 1967 and South Dakota State University in 1972. Ed married Lorna Krause on December 21, 1971 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge and the couple had three children: Michelle, Stephanie and Mark.
Ed served in the National Guard for six years. After college, they spent a year in Selby where Ed was a fertilizer manager at the co-op and then worked as a farm loan officer at the bank. The farm was calling his name so they moved back to the family farm in the summer of 1973 where they have lived ever since. He had a passion for farming and all the challenges of it. Ed and Lorna were avid classic muscle car collectors. They enjoyed going to local car shows and Ed always had stories about his cars, especially the 1970 blue Trans Am which he bought new in college.
Ed was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller. He has served on the County Extension Board and Gilbert Township Board. He also loved to watch professional sports and NASCAR on television.
Grateful to have shared in Ed’s life was his wife, Lorna of rural St. Lawrence, SD; three children: Michelle (Eric) Kolda of Volin, SD, Stephanie (Chris) Kjetland of Wessington, SD and Mark Watkins of Brookings, SD; parents, Ralph and Wanda Watkins of Alamogordo, NM; brother, Joe (Sally) Watkins of Alamogordo, NM; sisters-in-law: Judy Halamka of Port Huron, MI and Beverly Krause of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law, Russ (Margaret) Krause of Rock Hill, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ed’s arrangements.
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Our deepest heart felt sympathy to your family.
Our prayers this sad time will be with you and yours.
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
Our sympathy to your family on the loss of such a wonderful man. There are so many great memories of visiting with him at car shows, and “helping” him build the open stairway in our home. He was always so friendly and upbeat! We will miss our friend.
Our thougths are with you in your time of loss.
Lorna & family, so sorry to hear about the loss of Ed, we always loved to hear his storird that he was so good at telling. Take care and God Bless.
I offer the sincere condolences of my family and I. Please continue to look to the God of all comfort as he is described at 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. He can provide you with the power beyond what is normal to deal with this most difficult situation.
Lorna, Ralph, Pat, Joe, and families — We visited with Ed last January 2011 during my parents Hubert and Betty Clement’s farm auction. Ed spoke lovingly about his family, his passion for farming, and his car collection. Our hearts and prayers are with you during this time of loss and sorrow. Jim and Dianne Clement Gropper
Lorna & Family,
Our deepest condolences go out to all of you during this sad time. Ed always had a smile on his face and something funny to say. His wife and family were most important to him and he will be missed by many. May all your good memories with Ed console you.
Melvin & Debbie Brueggeman
Lorna & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Ed was a good person; Commmunity member, father, husband, and Christian.
Our condolances to all of you.
God bless you at this time.
Lorna and Family,
We are so sorry about Ed. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and our love is with you.
Love,
Aunt Nina and Connie
Lorna, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest Sympathy,
Terry & Paula Spilde
Lorna, Sorry to hear of your loss. I only met you one time while pheasant hunting on your place a few years ago with Jeff.
May the Lord comfort you during this time, and provide you with strength.