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Watkins, Lew
Lew Watkins, 58, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will be one hour before the service.
A memorial fund has been established in Lew's memory.
Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.
Lew was born Oct. 21, 1955, at Buena Vista Hospital in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Dick and Marilyn (Wells) Watkins. He was baptized in the Methodist Church there. He moved to Hopkinton in 1956 and lived there until 1961. He attended Kindergarten there. He moved to Fort Dodge in 1961, with his family. In 1968, they moved to Belmond, where he was confirmed into the Methodist Church, and in 1973, he graduated from there. He was on a national bowling championship in Washington, D.C., and he enjoyed playing tennis too. He was voted Homecoming Prince for his sophomore class.
Lew went to Simpson College in Indianola for one year and then began working at Wolverine in Muscatine and Louis Rich in West Liberty. He was a reliable worker.
Lew married Rosa Salas on June 24, 1984, at the United Methodist Church in Iowa City. This marriage later ended in divorce.
Lew is survived by his daughter, Angela Marie Dodder (Ryan) of Denver, Colo.; his granddaughter, Dillan Rose Dodder; his sisters, Susan (Tim) Dirks of Marion and Katherine (Roger) Anderson of Washington, Iowa; as well as aunt and uncle, Betty and Jim Watkins of Sioux City; his aunt, Martha Merry of Charles City; and his aunt, Fern Watkins of Meadville, Pa. He is also survived by two nephews, one niece and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and one uncle.
Lew was a loving father, grandfather and brother. He was generous with his worldly goods and with his love and forgiveness.
He will be missed by his family and friends, but we rejoice that he is at peace with his Father in heaven.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Lew's family and his services.
Published Nov. 15, 2013 in The Gazette
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