Harold Watkins

Harold G. Watkins, 93, of Annandale, formerly of Willmar, died Tuesday, September 27, at the Annandale Care Center.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Willmar. Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, October 2, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Camp Nathanael, PO Box 3258, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Harold George Watkins was born April 8, 1918, in Newell, South Dakota, to Calvin and Selma (Anderson) Watkins. He grew up and attended school in Newell. In 1937, his family moved to a farm south of Kerkhoven. He farmed with his dad and brother until June 1942, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. After training at Parks Air College, he served in Australia and the Philippines during World War II. Following his discharge, he attended Northwestern Bible School in Minneapolis.
On July 23, 1948, he married Ethel G. Nelson in Willmar. They lived in south Minneapolis for 11 years and Brooklyn Center for 31 years. Harold drove street cars and buses for Twin Cities Rapid Transit for 15 years and then as an electrician at Bethel College for 17 years until his retirement in 1983. In 1990, Harold and Ethel moved to their lake home on Green Lake. They moved to Willmar in 2005. They also wintered at Edinburg, Texas for 12 years. Harold resided at the Annandale Care Center for the past several months.
Harold was a member of First Baptist Church of Willmar and served as a greeter. Previously, he was a member of Brooklyn Center Baptist Church for 31 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Christian Service Brigade leader, choir member and on several boards and committees. He enjoyed traveling, woodcarving and playing his harmonica.
He is survived by his three children: Darrell (and Bonnie) Watkins of Maple Lake, Penny Anderson of Andover and Mark (and Karen) Watkins of North Branch; eight grandchildren: Katie Watkins (and David Herfel), Kyle Watkins, Peter (and Erica) Anderson, Michael (and Sonja) Anderson, Krista Watkins, Emily Anderson, Brian Anderson and Justin (and Kaity) Watkins; seven great-grandchildren: Raegan Anderson, Nels Anderson, Ingrit Herfel, Noah Anderson, Finley Herfel, Bjorn Anderson and Jenna Anderson; two sisters: Iris (and Loren) Peterson and Joyce Wahlstrom, both of Kerkhoven; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Ethel in 2006; four brothers: Rueben, Arthur, Howard and Vern; two sisters: Ruth Lindman and Helen Anderson; and a son-in-law: Thomas Anderson.