Eva Genevieve Watkins

Funeral Service for Eva will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 18th at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger. Burial is in Valley View Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7:00 p.m., Friday at the church. Eva Genevieve Watkins was born March 11, 1929 in Graettinger, Iowa, the daughter of Olaus and Agnette (Sevdy) Hereim. She attended Graettinger Schools. Eva was united in marriage to Melvin Nissen in June of 1952. Melvin passed away in 1972, and Eva married Vernon "Shorty" Watkins in August of 1978. Shorty preceded Eva in 2013. Eva was a homemaker, and she enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking (especially homemade bread and caramel rolls). She liked birdwatching, fishing and going to garage sales and auctions. More than anything, she loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Eva was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger. On Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Eva passed away at the Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Merlin Nissen of Emmetsburg, Marlene Kitto of Graettinger, Mavis Nissen of Graettinger, Teresa Petersen of Red Oak, IA, Steve Watkins (Sheryl) of Estherville, Cheri Mahan ...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

Council Bluffs, IA, Jackie Riepma (Ron) of Boyden, IA and Shawna Gerdeman (Dean) of Dickens; sister, Mary Nissen (Ronald) of Graettinger; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Eva was preceded in death by her parents; husband's: Melvin Nissen and Vernon Watkins; granddaughter, Shantal Clayton; three sisters: Alma Beschorner, Evelyn Martin and Vivian Winter; two brothers: Duane and Chester Hereim.