Delores Watts

Delores LaVerle Mundorf Watts passed away peacefully at her home near Calamus Lake in Burwell, Nebraska on July 20, 2016 after a hard-fought battle with ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Delores spent the days and weeks preceding her death surrounded by her loving family. She was 80 years old. Born on January 21, 1936 in Merriman, Nebraska, Delores was the daughter of Merton and Katherine Mundorf. She spent her youth in the beautiful sandhills of Cherry County, Nebraska, the youngest daughter in a family of ten siblings. It was in her hometown of Valentine that she met and married the love of her life, Richard B.Watts on August 17th, 1955. This blessed union has produced four children, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren to date. Dick and Delores were blessed to have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year. For Delores, family came first, and she excelled at making a comfortable and welcoming home. She was an avid gardener and especially loved growing flowers, a skill she passed on to both daughters. She was known as a wonderful cook and enjoyed working in the kitchen along side Dick and all four of her children. Most family gatherings revolved around food, and Delores never disappointed. A favorite pastime was playing cards and board games with friends, kids and grandkids. Delores was proud of her spelling and typing skills and enjoyed careers in the medical records field and newspaper typesetting business. After living in Osceola and Imperial, Nebraska for many years, Dick and Delores returned to their beloved sandhills in 1988. They owned and operated Homestead Knolls Sports Center and spent over 25 years building their business and living their dream. Known for friendliness and ease in conversation, even with total strangers, they developed many valued relationships over the years and always enjoyed visits with friends and family members who frequented the lake. After her retirement, she and Dick still enjoyed being involved and helping their son, Rob, continue on with the business. Delores belonged to the First Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School in earlier years, She was a member of Eastern Star, where she received her 50 year pin in 2009 and served as Worthy Matron. She was also a member of the Burwell American Legion Auxillary and was a founding member of the Calamus Lake Association. Delores was preceded in death by her parents and seven of her beloved brothers and sisters. Surviving is her husband, best friend and partner, Richard B. Watts of Burwell; daughter, Lynn (Ralph) Davis of Fayetteville, AR; Richard K. (Elisa) Watts of Iowa City, IA; Rob (Nichole) Watts of Burwell; and Lori Watts and Daryl Flauta of York, NE . Also surviving are her 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; her brother, Eldon (Willis) Mundorf of Norfolk, NE; brother, Jerry (Millie) Mundorf of Elgin, NE; and a host of other relatives and friends. The following poem appeared in Delores' mother's obituary in 1979 and feels particularly appropriate as a way to honor Delores by her own children: “She always leaned to watch for us, Anxious if we were late, In winter by the window, In summer by the gate. Her thoughts were all so full of us, She never could forget, And so I think that where she is She must be watching yet. Waiting till we come home to her, Anxious if we are late, Watching from heaven's window, Leaning from heaven's gate.” A private memorial service will be held for immediate family. Memorials may be made to the Calamus Area Community Fund in honor of Delores Watts. Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com