Watters, Elsie LaVerne (Gutknecht)

Elsie LaVerne (Gutkneckt) Watters, 82, of Jesup, died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at American Lutheran Church, Jesup, with burial in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hudson. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel on Kimball, Waterloo, and one hour before services Saturday at the church.

She was born Nov. 21, 1926, in rural Hudson, the daughter of Ernest and Matilda (Engel) Gutkneckt. She married Lyle Elliot Watters on July 25, 1945, in rural Hudson. They shared 63 wonderful years before his passing on May 9, 2008. Elsie and Lyle shared their love of children of all ages as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, putting smiles on many faces during the Christmas season.

A lifetime farm wife, mother and homemaker, she still found time to be active as a 4-H leader, with 4-H County committee, Farm Bureau, American Lutheran Church, Rural Women's Study Club and an Allen Hospital volunteer. She also served on the Black Hawk County Board of Adjustment and enjoyed sorting corn for Pioneer Seed.

She will be greatly missed and is survived by her five children, Roger (Carolyn) Watters of Lisbon, N.Y., Elaine (Larry) Bearbower of Vinton, David Watters of Jesup, Bonnie Walden of Marengo and Peggy (Linn) Bearbower of Vinton. There are 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with another due in November. She is also survived by a sister, Florence Wrede of Hudson; a brother, Carl Gutkneckt of Cedar Falls; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; her parents, Ernest and Matilda Gutkneckt; and a brother, Ernest.

Those who wish may direct memorials to the church.