Fern Watkins

Fern Arnett Watkins passed on July 15, 2015 in Meadville, PA Fern Arnett Watkins, age 89, was born in Bronson, IA, January 30, 1926 to parents Elliot Arnett and Agnes Trobaugh Arnett. Fern attended Bronson High School and Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA, where she graduated with a B.S. in science and math and a teaching certificate. She taught 6th grade math for three years in small Iowa town in the 1940's. She once played on a teachers' team in an exhibition match with the Harlem Globetrotters. Needless to say her team lost, but she remembered the experience with great glee. Fern Married John B. Watkins on Thanksgiving Day, 1950 in Iowa. In 1951 they moved to eastern North Dakota where Jack joined a veterinary practice; in 1955 they moved to Minot, ND where they settled, raised a family and lived until Jack's death in 2009. In 2010 Fern moved to Meadville, PA to live near her daughter's family. Fern is survived by her son Mark (Farmington, NM), daughter Beth and son-in-law James Bulman (Guys Mills, PA), brothers Elgerd Arnett and wife Marlyn (Sioux City, IA) and Ron Arnett and wife Nancy (Shakopee, MN), brother-in-law James Watkins and wife Betty (Sioux City, IA), grandsons Nick, Jared, Patrick and Stuart Watkins, granddaughters Maud and Lily Bulman, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Dorothy, Laverne, and Ann, several nephews and her husband, Jack. Fern had a life-long commitment to the Girls Scouts, first as a volunteer troop leader and later as a professional for 12 years as the Executive Director of Girl Scouting in Northwest North Dakota. She joined the First Presbyterian Church of Minot and later of Meadville; she was a tireless "church lady" and member of Circle, taught Sunday School and served in leadership positions as deacon and elder. She also was a member of P.E.O and Zonta, a professional women's organization. She treasured her friends and colleagues in those organizations and maintained many friendships across the country. Fern was an avid reader and seamstress. She enjoyed spending time with her family on camping trips, visiting with friends and relatives, and traveling with her husband in their retirement. Having the neighbors in for coffee, tolerating numerous cats and dogs in the house, and enjoying a good laugh were hallmarks of Fern's character. She will be missed by many but especially her son and daughter. Fern's arrangements are private. Mrs. Watkins final arrangements have been entrusted to the Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home and Crematory, 614 Baldwin Street, Meadville, PA Please sign the guestbook at: hatheway-tedesco