Charles D. Watts

Ansley, NE- Charles Watts, age 77, of Ansley, died Saturday January 26, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday January 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the 1st Baptist Church in Ansley, with Pastors Bill Ragan and Darren Theesen officiating. Burial will be in the Ansley Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Tuesday January 29, 2013, 8 AM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends 6 PM to 7 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow. Memorials have been established to the 1st Baptist Church in Ansley or the Prairie Pioneer Center in Broken Bow. Charles was born March 8, 1935, in Broken Bow to Clifford and Lula (Trew) Watts. On November 14, 1953, he married Carolyn Hunkins in Ansley. Survivors include his wife Carolyn, daughter Evelyn of Kearney, son Charles and wife Monica of Ansley, son-in-laws, Roger Meyer of Omaha, and Allan Marquart of Mason City. Grandchildren include Jon Watts and wife, Erin of Kearney, Chris Watts and wife, Jessie of Kearney, Emily Marquart of Topeka, Kevin Watts and wife, Emily, of Savannah, MO, Jake Marquart of Pittsburg, KS, Angie Marquart of Topeka, KS, Kelsey Watts of Omaha, Riley Meyer of Omaha, Kate Watts of Lincoln, Reese Meyer of Omaha, Ryan Meyer of Omaha; Great grandchildren Samantha, Hunter, Ava, Audrey, Brody, Michaela, Victoria, Mason, Ayden and Charlotte; Step-grandson Dana Marquart and family of Alvo; Sisters Elizabeth Rose of Kearney, Ardyce Clay and husband Charley of Nash, TX, and brother Kenny Watts and wife Trudy of Kimball. Charles grew up in the Cumro area and moved to Ansley at the age of 12; he graduated from Ansley High School in 1953. Charles farmed and ranched for over 60 years near Ansley, first with his father-in-law and later enjoyed farming with his son. He loved horses, especially his mare Silk and liked breaking her colts. He served on the Ansley Township, Custer County Feeders and Breeders Association and the Ansley Alumni. Since retiring Charles and Carolyn have renewed friendships with Custer Couples, enjoyed going to auctions, playing games and cards with family and friends, shooting pool at Prairie Pioneer Center, putting puzzles together, reading Westerns and sleeping in his chair with their dog, Zoey. Charles loved the Lord and served Him as a lay preacher, youth group leader, Sunday school teacher and a deacon. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Harold and Evelyn Hunkins, daughters Debra Marquart and Pamala Meyer and brothers, Alfred and Fred.