Susan Watkins

Susan Irene Stevens Watkins December 22, 1951 - November 30, 2012 Susan Stevens Watkins went home to be with the Lord on November 30. Her husband Ronald was by her side. Susan was born December 22, 1951, at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. She was the eldest daughter of Edwin H. and Mary E. (Nulton) Schroeder. As Edwin was in the Air Force, Susan grew up in Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Japan, Michigan, Ohio, England, and California. She completed high school in Sun Prairie, WI and went on to earn her B.S. degree from Taylor University in Upland, IN, in 1974. Following graduation, Susan moved to Anderson, IN and worked as a manager trainee at JC Penney. On September 14, 1974, Susan married her first husband, Dennis Stevens. They soon moved to Elkhorn, WI, where Susan took a job as a dental assistant. In June 1978, Dennis and Susan settled in Madison, WI, where they raised their three children. Susan was a loving mother and homemaker. While her children were young, she did in-home daycare and later worked for Middleton Baptist Church and the YMCA of Dane County. Susan moved to Twin Falls, ID, where she married Ron Watkins on August 3, 2003. Susan decided to enter into the real estate business and obtained her license while employed at Nelson Realty in Twin Falls. She later moved to Magic Valley Realty in Twin Falls and became one of the more successful realtors in the Magic Valley, attaining G.R.I. and Associate Broker status. Susan was well known and respected both as a realtor and citizen in the Magic Valley area. She was detail oriented and very loyal to her clients, working diligently to close her listings successfully. Susan was an active participant in the real estate business. She attended realtor events both at the local and state levels and recently served as president of the Magic Valley Realtors Association. Susan was also an active member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Kimberly, ID. She served for two terms on the Board of Trustees and acted as the listing agent for the Kimberly Heights Subdivision and for the new Crossroads United Methodist Church property. She worked closely with the building committee to help facilitate the move into the new church. Susan was known for her gentle nature, her strong Christian faith, and unselfish, humble approach when dealing with her clients, friends and loved ones. Susan was diligent in her approach to life and work. She greeted everyone with her beautiful, friendly smile. She was a hard worker, while loving life and people. She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, and friend to everyone she encountered. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Watkins, Twin Falls; her children, Elizabeth Stevens, Middleton, WI, Jonathan (Theresa) Stevens, Ladson, SC, Benjamin (Linnea) Stevens, Minneapolis, MN; her step-children, Jeanne (Ray) Tverdy, Gary (Ricki) Watkins, Lauri Watkins, Julie (Ty) Bybee, Marilee (Jeff) Mink, all of Buhl, ID and Ronald Wayne (Heather) Watkins, Black Earth, WI. her grandchildren, Anna, and one on the way; her step-grandchildren, Andrew, Greg, Angela, Andrea, Tosha, Douglas Lee (dec.), Adam, and Tara, Jonathan, Ty Jr., Jeremy, Raela, Amy, Ryan, Christian (dec.), Danny, and Zach; her father, Edwin; and her siblings, Mark (Susan) Schroeder, David (Karen) Schroeder, and Sarah (David) Jensen. Susan is preceeded in death by her mother, Mary E. Schroeder. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 131 Syringa Avenue, Kimberly with Rev. Gary L. Ross officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.Immediately following the service there will be a fellowship lunchon. At 2:00 PM a Graveside and Inurnment will be held at Glenns Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. .In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads United Methodist Church, PO Box 326, Kimberly, ID 83341.