Wilma Watkins

Wilma Loretta (Cordes) Watkins, 97, of Grinnell, died on January 31, 2022, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Sheridan Cemetery on April 30. Memorials may be designated to the St. Francis Manor Foundation, Unity Point Hospice-Grinnell, or to Sheridan United Methodist Church and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Wilma was born on December 8, 1924, to William and Freda (Jahlas) Cordes in Guernsey, IA. She graduated from Guernsey Public School. Wilma married Edward E. Watkins on March 13, 1953, in Wichita, Kansas and they resided there for approximately one year before moving to Marshalltown, IA. In 1955, they moved to the Newburg area and began farming.

The couple was blessed with three daughters: Wilma Joan, June, and Jeneane. In 1966, they moved to a farm in Sheridan Township where they raised hogs and farmed until retiring in 1983. Wilma continued living on the farm after her husband’s death on September 13, 1987, until she moved to the Seeland Park Independent Living Community in Grinnell in August of 2009. She was admitted to St. Francis Manor on February 26, 2021, following a stroke.

Wilma was a member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church and served as church financial secretary for a number of years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women’s group. As a Seeland Park resident, Wilma enjoyed playing cards and dominoes and visiting with her friends.

Wilma will be remembered by her daughters June Watkins of Grinnell, Jeneane Johnson of Louisville, NE; her grandson Benjamin Johnson of Louisville, NE; nieces Miriam (Bill) Bybee, Janice (Mike) Fink, Diane (Howard) Brooks; and nephew Marvin (Linda) Cordes. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward, daughter Wilma Joan; son-in-law Larry J. Johnson; grandson Edward L. Johnson; siblings Irene (Earl) Bryan, Lila (Ed) Eberle Fraizer, Darrell (Carolyn) Cordes; and niece Hope Cordes.