Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthJun 22, 1929, Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico [55321]
DeathSep 7, 2024, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa [55321]
BurialDonated To Medical Science [55321]
FatherWilbur Ellis WATKINS (1898-1987)
MotherEsther Evangeline BLINKENSTAFF (1902-1982)
Spouses
MarriageJun 6, 1952 [55317]
Obituary Online notes for Stanley Read WATKINS
Stanley Read Watkins, 95, died on September 7, 2024, in Cedar Rapids, IA with his family at his side. He was born on June 22, 1929, in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Esther Blickenstaff Watkins and Wilber Ellis Watkins.
He attended high school in Las Cruces and was active in Boy Scouts, church, and sports. With his partner, in high school, he won the state championship in tennis doubles.
He attended McPherson College in Kansas where he met his wife, Marilue. He completed his B.S degree in chemistry in 1951 at New Mexico State University. Stan was active in varsity tennis, a member of the TKE fraternity and the Student Christian Association. He served as a camp counselor one summer at the American Youth Foundation in Michigan.
Upon graduation, he was employed by du Pont in their Atomic Energy Division at the Savannah River Plant as a chemist and shift supervisor. He married Marilue Bowman, his Kansas sweetheart on June 6, 1952. While with du Pont, they lived in Rockville IN, and then North Augusta, SC.
After three years with du Pont, he entered graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder, earning a PhD in Analytical Chemistry in 1958.
Following graduation, he was hired as an Assistant Professor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. In the following years, he studied and did research at the University of Iowa, Michigan State University, and the University of North Carolina. In addition to his teaching duties, he was elected to serve on numerous significant faculty committees at Coe before retiring after 34 dedicated years.
He supported student research projects on trace elements in the environment and the structure of metal complexes with biological components in serum resulting in five scientific publications. Stan directed several National Science Foundation (NSF) programs for high ability high school students, several Undergraduate Research Participation programs and was a faculty advisor for an NSF program of student originated studies and NSF Scientific Equipment grants.
During his career in Cedar Rapids, he and Marilue raised two children, Kendall and Lynn. The family was active in church outreach endeavors, music activities, and travel both domestic and foreign. Tennis and sailing were his special pursuits. He enjoyed taking family, friends, and students in his boat at Lake Macbride. He served on community committees including the Cedar Rapids Hospital Council, the Human Services Planning Committee of the United Way, the Finance and Stewardship Committees of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids and the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marilue of 72 years, son Kendall Watkins (Heather) of Des Moines, daughter Lynn Gentry (Marty) of Lexington, KY, four grandchildren, Samantha and Evan Watkins and Turner and Mason Gentry.
Survivors also include brother-in-law, Larry Bowman (Ann) and numerous nieces and nephews. He donated his body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for scientific and educational purposes. There will be no services at Stanley's request.
Memorial donations may be made to the Stanley Watkins endowed chair or to the Stanley Watkins Fund for Research at Coe College, 1220 1st Ave NE. Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. [55321]
He attended high school in Las Cruces and was active in Boy Scouts, church, and sports. With his partner, in high school, he won the state championship in tennis doubles.
He attended McPherson College in Kansas where he met his wife, Marilue. He completed his B.S degree in chemistry in 1951 at New Mexico State University. Stan was active in varsity tennis, a member of the TKE fraternity and the Student Christian Association. He served as a camp counselor one summer at the American Youth Foundation in Michigan.
Upon graduation, he was employed by du Pont in their Atomic Energy Division at the Savannah River Plant as a chemist and shift supervisor. He married Marilue Bowman, his Kansas sweetheart on June 6, 1952. While with du Pont, they lived in Rockville IN, and then North Augusta, SC.
After three years with du Pont, he entered graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder, earning a PhD in Analytical Chemistry in 1958.
Following graduation, he was hired as an Assistant Professor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. In the following years, he studied and did research at the University of Iowa, Michigan State University, and the University of North Carolina. In addition to his teaching duties, he was elected to serve on numerous significant faculty committees at Coe before retiring after 34 dedicated years.
He supported student research projects on trace elements in the environment and the structure of metal complexes with biological components in serum resulting in five scientific publications. Stan directed several National Science Foundation (NSF) programs for high ability high school students, several Undergraduate Research Participation programs and was a faculty advisor for an NSF program of student originated studies and NSF Scientific Equipment grants.
During his career in Cedar Rapids, he and Marilue raised two children, Kendall and Lynn. The family was active in church outreach endeavors, music activities, and travel both domestic and foreign. Tennis and sailing were his special pursuits. He enjoyed taking family, friends, and students in his boat at Lake Macbride. He served on community committees including the Cedar Rapids Hospital Council, the Human Services Planning Committee of the United Way, the Finance and Stewardship Committees of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids and the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marilue of 72 years, son Kendall Watkins (Heather) of Des Moines, daughter Lynn Gentry (Marty) of Lexington, KY, four grandchildren, Samantha and Evan Watkins and Turner and Mason Gentry.
Survivors also include brother-in-law, Larry Bowman (Ann) and numerous nieces and nephews. He donated his body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for scientific and educational purposes. There will be no services at Stanley's request.
Memorial donations may be made to the Stanley Watkins endowed chair or to the Stanley Watkins Fund for Research at Coe College, 1220 1st Ave NE. Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. [55321]
Obituary Online notes for Marilue Louise (Spouse 1)
Marilue Bowman Watkins, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 8, 2025.
She was born Mary Louise Bowman in Quinter, Kansas to parents Mary and Louis Bowman on December 17, 1928.
As a teenager, she changed her name to a new spelling of "Marilue". She met the love of her life, Stanley Watkins, at McPherson College in Kansas where she received a B.S. cum laude in Music in 1951. They were married on June 6, 1952, and spent seventy-two loving years together until Stanley passed in September 2024.
After teaching music for two years at a middle school in Kansas, she went on to teach private piano lessons and then accompanied or directed church choirs (both youth and adult) for many years. Additionally, she accompanied and supported her children as they both played violin along with countless other youth musicians during their recitals and competitions.
Marilue had a dedication to volunteering and community service in several capacities including the League of Women Voters, six years on the Foster Care Review Boards, and ten years as co-chair of the Sunday Evening Meals Program at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. She was also a pre-school teacher at Jane Boyd Community House and a member of their board for several years. With Stanley's long career spent at Coe College, Marilue's spare time was also dedicated to Coe College's affiliated groups including the book club, gourmet group, and helped to start the investment club, Agatha Crumm. Marilue was employed for ten years as a Nursing Lab Coordinator at Mount Mercy College, from which she retired in 1981. She was an Iowa State Fair award winner for her quilting and along with Stanley enjoyed spending time at symphony concerts, traveling (with many international adventures), tending to their beautiful gardens, and time spent with family.
Marilue is preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, parents, sister Phyllis, and brother Winston. Surviving is her son, Kendall (Heather) of Des Moines, daughter, Lynn (Marty) of Lexington, KY, and grandchildren Samantha, Evan, Turner, Mason, brother Larry and sister-in-law Ann Bowman and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marilue donated her body to the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa for continued research. There will be no services.
Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Marilue and her family. Family requests any contributions or memorials be sent to Orchestra Iowa (Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra) at 119 3rd Ave. S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Cottage Grove Place and the St. Croix Hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care they provided.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com. [55323]
She was born Mary Louise Bowman in Quinter, Kansas to parents Mary and Louis Bowman on December 17, 1928.
As a teenager, she changed her name to a new spelling of "Marilue". She met the love of her life, Stanley Watkins, at McPherson College in Kansas where she received a B.S. cum laude in Music in 1951. They were married on June 6, 1952, and spent seventy-two loving years together until Stanley passed in September 2024.
After teaching music for two years at a middle school in Kansas, she went on to teach private piano lessons and then accompanied or directed church choirs (both youth and adult) for many years. Additionally, she accompanied and supported her children as they both played violin along with countless other youth musicians during their recitals and competitions.
Marilue had a dedication to volunteering and community service in several capacities including the League of Women Voters, six years on the Foster Care Review Boards, and ten years as co-chair of the Sunday Evening Meals Program at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. She was also a pre-school teacher at Jane Boyd Community House and a member of their board for several years. With Stanley's long career spent at Coe College, Marilue's spare time was also dedicated to Coe College's affiliated groups including the book club, gourmet group, and helped to start the investment club, Agatha Crumm. Marilue was employed for ten years as a Nursing Lab Coordinator at Mount Mercy College, from which she retired in 1981. She was an Iowa State Fair award winner for her quilting and along with Stanley enjoyed spending time at symphony concerts, traveling (with many international adventures), tending to their beautiful gardens, and time spent with family.
Marilue is preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, parents, sister Phyllis, and brother Winston. Surviving is her son, Kendall (Heather) of Des Moines, daughter, Lynn (Marty) of Lexington, KY, and grandchildren Samantha, Evan, Turner, Mason, brother Larry and sister-in-law Ann Bowman and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marilue donated her body to the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa for continued research. There will be no services.
Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Marilue and her family. Family requests any contributions or memorials be sent to Orchestra Iowa (Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra) at 119 3rd Ave. S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Cottage Grove Place and the St. Croix Hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care they provided.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com. [55323]