Esther Watts, 87, of Newton, Kansas
passed away on September 19, 2015.
She was born November 27, 1927 to
Rev Jacob and Alice Nelson in Luray, Kansas. Esther was a registered nurse,
receiving nursing training in El Dorado, Kansas after graduation from
Leonardville High School and Westmar College, Le Mars, IA. Following
her marriage to Allen Watts, on September 2, 1952 in Lawrence,
Kansas, Esther joined Allen in volunteer service for four years in
the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky where Esther served as a clinic
nurse associated with Red Bird Mission. Esther and Allen returned to
Kansas where together they raised five children, a son David
Watts(Cecelia) of Wamego, KS; four daughters Darlene Foster(James) of
Salina, KS; Margaret Liby(Larry) of Austin, TX; Sheri
Richter(Matthew) of Dodge City, KS; Christi Smeed(Bill) of Cedar
Rapids, IA and also welcomed into their home niece and nephew Teresa
and Roger Russell (Diana) of Napa, CA.
Esther was an active member of the
Downs community and Rose Valley United Methodist Church, before
moving to Newton following Allen's death where she has been an active
member of the Salem United Methodist church. Esther has taken great
joy in her eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She is
preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Allen Watts; her
sister Eleanor Russell and her four brothers Raymond, Wilmer, Paul
and James Nelson.
A memorial service is scheduled for
Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 10:00AM at Salem United Methodist
Church Newton, KS. Inurnment will be Friday, September 25, 2015 at
2:00PM at Downs Cemetery, Downs, KS. Memorials may be made to Red
Bird Mission and sent in care of Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, KS.
