Stella Watkins

Stella Mae (Hammitt) Watkins was born August 5, 1922, to Oscar Earnest and Sadie Elizabeth (Fitch) Hammitt in Logan, Iowa. She was raised in the Hardscratch area and graduated from Logan High School in 1940. Stella received her teaching degree from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She taught school in Woodbine. Stella married Gene Watkins on March 3, 1946. The couple farmed near Persia and then east of Woodbine. In 1951 they purchased their farm north of Woodbine.

Stella was a member of the Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Women, Retired Teachers, Woodbine Saddle Club and neighborhood clubs. She enjoyed playing cards, watching Jeopardy, cooking and baking. She loved to be around her children and grandchildren.

Stella died on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 85 years, five months, and three days.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gene in 1998; daughter, Regina Shimonek in 2006; four brothers, Dorance, Vern, Claude and Lyle Hammitt; two sisters, Wildon Stirtz and Lucille Wohlers. She is survived by her four children, Richard (Frankie) Watkins of Bellevue, Nebraska, Sally Watkins of Woodbine, Iowa, Jeff (Kristie) Watkins of Woodbine, Iowa, Janice (Steve) Vreeman of Chanhassen, Minnesota; one son-in-law, Rick Shimonek of Omaha, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister, Helen Wood of Logan, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Marshall of Holdrege, Nebraska, Berniece Hammitt of Logan, Iowa, and Marie Hammitt of Logan, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services
2:30 pm Saturday, January 12, 2008
Presbyterian Church ~ Woodbine, Iowa

Clergy Rev. Steve Wiemeyer

Musicians Margaret Cotton
Max Poe ~ "On Eagles Wings"

Congregational Hymns
"What a Friend We Have In Jesus"
"The Old Rugged Cross"

Honorary Pall Bearers
Alysha Kinman, Penny Emblin,
Yvette Fontana, Nikki Watkins,
Aleigh Beahm, Allie Vreeman

Pall Bearers
Cody Watkins, Rick Shimonek,
David Watkins, Scott Spencer,
Riley Vreeman, Tom Watkins,
Bob Hammitt, Merne Hammitt

Final Resting Place
Woodbine Cemetery
Woodbine, Iowa