Darlene Watkins
courtesy photo
Darlene Watkins
RONAN — On July 10, 2020, Darlene passed on at St. Luke’s Hospital due to a long known, (but rarely shared), heart condition with damage to the heart muscle on the right side of her heart. She was as mentally vibrant, as she had always been, right up to the end.
She was born on July 20, 1928, in Warren, Monroe County, Wisconsin, to Harm Henry Janssen and Katherine Harriet (Lawrence) Janssen. She grew up in and around Tomah, Wisconsin, with her three siblings, Lawrence, Henrietta and Lois.
She served in the Army as a nurse and surgical technician where she met and married Sgt. John W. Watkins in 1951. Darlene was the mother of six children: John, Robert, Beth, David, Scott and Matthew.
She received her Life Time Teacher’s Credentials from the State of California in June of 1972. After migrating to St. Ignatius in 1983, she applied and received her Montana Teacher’s Credentials in July 1983. She began substitute teaching in and around the Pablo, Ronan and St. Ignatius area and then in 1985 became a full-time teacher at K. William Harvey School in Ronan. She taught the K-6 gifted students. Retiring in 1996, she has remained in contact with many of her former students and their families.
Darlene will be missed by many who loved and respected her.
She is survived by her sister, Lois (Janssen) Strothman of Beloit, Wisconsin; four of her children, John M. Watkins of Los Angeles, Beth (Watkins) Elmore of Burney, California, David Watkins of San Dimas, California, and Matthew Watkins of Pablo; her grandchildren, Matthew Elmore, Darlene Elmore, Scott Elmore, Amanda Navarro; and her great-grandchildren. She is also survived by the many, many, children and students that called her grandma, great-grandma or aunt.
There are no services planned for Darlene at this time. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompson.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.
