Esther M. Watkins

Esther M. Watkins, 83, of Hubbard, Nebraska died on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Regency Square Nursing Home in South Sioux City, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 10:30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, Father Gerald Leise will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, NE. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Emerson, NE. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Emerson is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Siouxland, Queen of Peace and Ella Watkins Fund. Esther was born on July 6, 1932 in Emerson, NE, the daughter of Thomas and Lena (Hoeck) Belt. Esther was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. After graduating from High School in Emerson, she was united in marriage to Charles Watkins on December 29, 1951 in Emerson, NE. The couple made their home in Hubbard, raising their children. Esther enjoyed embroidering, making quilts, stamp and coin collecting, and traveling throughout the United States. She was crazy about baseball games, a 4-H leader, softball coach and enjoyed working with her flowers and watching the birds and squirrels. Most of all she cherished the time spent with her family. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, an officer of the Legion Auxiliary, Harty McNally in Jackson, NE for 25 years, a Senior Homemaker and won the Good Neighbor Award in 1984. Esther is survived by her children; sons: Daniel & Sue of Suquamish, WA , William of North Sioux City, SD, James & Donell of Hubbard, NE. daughters: Kathleen Straube of Lincoln, NE, Barb Hoyt of Sioux City, IA, Patty & Todd Anderson of Doniphan, NE, Sharon & Jim Harral of Hubbard, NE, Joann & Dean Peters of Omaha, NE, Pam & Randy Colwell of South Sioux City, NE, Lisa & Bill Reppert of Pender, NE. She is also survived by her 29 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, infant sons Charles L. and Ronald A. Watkins, grandchildren: Joseph Harral and Alicia Anderson and a great granddaughter Sabrina Beck, 3 brothers and 2 sisters and an infant brother.