Arthur Watkins

There will be a Parish Prayer Service on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Arthur Watkins died March 11, 2008, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 93 years. Arthur Watkins was born February 19, 1915, in Madison, MO, the son of Roy, Sr. and Ollie (Riggs) Watkins. He was united in marriage to Viola Kotten on April 17, 1941, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. The couple farmed their entire lives in Adrian Township, Watonwan County and moved to Comfrey in April of 1976, after building their own home. Arthur was an inventive and creative man who loved to have the latest gadgets, including having one of the first welders in the area. He enjoyed traveling, wood-working and could build anything - many of his projects can be found at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Arthur was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and was a Trustee for 19 years. He was also the mayor of Comfrey for one year and served on the Soil Conservation Board and the Tri-County Co-op Board for many years. Arthur's heart was with his land and his family. Arthur is survived by wife- Viola of Comfrey; children- Rita (Dennis) Heidelberger of Fergus Falls, Carol Watkins of Comfrey, William (Anna) Watkins of Mountain Lake, Jessica Watkins of Fargo, ND, Peter (Tanya) Watkins of Butterfield, Patrick (Patti) Watkins of Woodbury, Eugene Watkins of Fairmont, Daniel (Cindy) Watkins of Saratoga, CA, Samuel (Michelle) Watkins of Hector, Alice Wills of St. Peter, and Randall (Michele) Watkins of El Dorado Hills, CA; 27 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; brother- Vance (Lois) Watkins of St. James; sisters- Jenny Lorenz of Trimont, Zeli (Lester) Lorenz of Trimont, and Laura Lorenz of St. James; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter- Catherine in 1970; grandson- Larramy in 1993; and sister- Beverly Schmidt.