Oneta Maxine Watkins Obituary (1923

Oneta Maxine Lee Watkins, 95, died on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Maxine was born July 23, 1923 in Burlington, Iowa to Weldon and Nina DeHart Lee. The family moved to Keosauqua, Iowa when Maxine was a baby. Maxine graduated from Keosauqua Public School in May 1940 as valedictorian of her class. She attended college at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, CA. She returned to Iowa and then attended AIC Business School in Davenport, IA. Maxine married Willis L. Watkins April 2, 1943 in Long Beach, CA while Willis was stationed at Camp Lejeune with the Marines at Camp Pendleton. Maxine was a member of Keosauqua United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of Chapter 1 PEO, Maxine also belonged to 3 different bridge clubs which she thoroughly enjoyed! She was an avid walker and enjoyed reading. Maxine is survived by children Ron Watkins (Marcelle Murray), Jill Duncan, Joan Syfert and husband Jerry all of Keosauqua, and Todd Watkins and wife Teresa of Coralville, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Abraham Watkins, Sara Weller, Nicholas Duncan, Emily Cornish, Caleb Syfert, Jordin, Jiles and Jantsen Watkins; thirteen great-grandchildren, Colette and Nicolette Watkins, Elizabeth and Allison Weller, Anthony, Keely and Jace Duncan, Evelyn, Charlotte and William Cornish, Jacob, Mason, and Camryn Syfert. She was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Watkins in 1998; and her husband, Willis in 2003. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Pedrick Funeral Home - Keosauqua with Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart officiating. No visitation will be held. Memorials in Maxine's honor may be made to the Keosauqua Public Library and EveryStep Hospice of Mount Pleasant. Memorials may be left at the funeral home or mailed to 1406 7th Street, Keosauqua, Iowa 52565