Juanita Watson

JUANITA ROSE WATSON

Juanita Rose Watson, 85, of Kahoka, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka.

Juanita was born in St. Patrick, MO, on November 4, 1924 to Leonard Henry Moore and Margaret Ahern Moore.

After graduating as valedictorian from St. Patrick High School, she was employed at Hoerner Box and General Mills in Keokuk, IA. Juanita was married to James Earl Watson in 1945 and the young couple returned to Missouri and settled on a small farm near St. Patrick.

Beginning in 1960, Juanita was employed by Paul Rowe at what was then the Clark County Courier and Gazette-Herald newspapers. She worked until her retirement for a long succession of editors as typesetter, as author of the well-read weekly column "By the Way", and as researcher of the past files for the "Years Ago" feature. Juanita had a "natural eye" for the quirky, unusual, and pertinent events of the day. She was also a church organist for decades, first at the Shrine of St. Patrick and later at St. Michael's in Kahoka.

Juanita possessed a quick, open and non-judgmental mind and a welcoming, benevolent spirit until the end. She was always content with her life with nary a word for what was not or what might have been. She was a walking wealth of information concerning local history, events, people and their lineage, often accompanied by precise dates, including the day of the week. Anyone who knew her knew that details were her "strong suit." Juanita was passionate about her family, her faith, a variety of good music, and, of course, the game of Scrabble. Few could best her in her game.

She will be sorely missed by her husband of 64 years and by her far reaching branch family who remain behind in her familial wake. Juanita Rose Watson - a mother of many; in addition to her husband, her survivors include: three sons: Gary (Connie) Watson of Fredericktown, MO, Steve (Nancy) Watson of Gladstone, MO, and Roger (Coleen) Watson of Kahoka, MO; three daughters: Gloria (Mrs. Charley) Allen of Kahoka, MO, Gina Bash of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Julie (Mrs. Mark) Kirchner of Kahoka, MO; a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as a sister, Ellen Krueger of Canton, MO, and brother-in-law, Stanley Pepple of St. Francisville, MO; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings and an oft-missed grandson, Adam Bash.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kahoka with Rev. Paul M. Hartley officiating. Burial was in the St. Patrick Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers were suggested to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kahoka.