Donna Watson

Donna Dean Watson was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Joplin, Missouri. She died June 24, 2022, at the Haxtun Hospital. She was 94.

She was married for 28 years to John Henry Dudt of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. John died in 1972. They raised two sons, Phillip and David, in Denver. After two years of widowhood, she met Robert Watson, and they married in 1974.

Donna was a homemaker when her sons were growing up but worked part time at a bank and helped her mother at her reweaving business in Denver. After marrying Bob, she helped him in his grocery store business in Arnold, Nebraska.

She was active in her church and participated in Pioneer Girls and was a lifeguard and canoe instructor.

Donna, along with her two sisters, Lena and Helen, was raised by a very determined and hardworking single mother — a difficult situation when single moms were not yet the norm.

Donna was preceded in death by her husbands, John Dudt in 1972 and Robert Watson in 2013.

Donna is survived by her son, Philip Dudt and wife Noralyn, and their two children; son, David Dudt; sister, Helen LaCombe; stepson, Regan Watson and wife Becky; and the Watson grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

The memorial service was held July 22 at First Baptist Church in Holyoke, with Pastor Al Smith officiating.

Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.