Dorothy Helen Watson

Dorothy Helen Watson, 87, passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at Killarney Kourt in Sturtevant, WI.

Born on October 30, 1937 in Duluth, MN, she was the daughter of Leonard and Helen Murray. She grew up in Duluth and attended First Presbyterian Church where she met her husband to be. James M. Watson (Jim) served in the US Air Force and they were married October 14, 1961. They celebrated 63 ½ years of marriage together.

After a few temporary moves, they moved to beautiful Colorado Springs, CO from 1963 to 1969. In 1967, their daughter, Cindy, was born. Camping and hiking on the weekends in the mountains brought them joy. For years the family summer vacation was spent back in Colorado.

In 1969, they moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family. Whitewater, WI would be their home for 47 years. Dorothy worked as a secretary at the University of Whitewater campus until January 1980 when she had a cerebral hemorrhage limiting her mobility which caused her to be on disability.

Dorothy and Jim served faithfully in the Jail Ministry in Sturtevant for 16 years. They faithfully visited weekly to speak and share the love of Jesus. They opened their home to several former inmates, providing support and encouragement as they transitioned back into society.

They have been blessed to travel the country on many trips. A highlight was living in Bibleville (a retirement RV park) in Texas during the winter months for 5 years. The year they celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary, there were 15 other couples also celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversaries!

In 2014, they moved to Beach Park, IL to be closer to their daughter. They attended Grace Missionary Church in Zion for 7 years. In 2021, they moved to Sturtevant, WI to a senior’s apartment. Now, Union Grove Baptist Church is their home church. 

Dorothy is known for her passion to read, to study God’s Word daily, playing games, her love to be with her family, and her strong desire to keep going in the midst of ongoing breathing issues. Though she rarely complained, her suffering was evident to those who knew her well. Her love for Jesus and knowledge of the Bible were so evident as well. She taught Sunday school class to the children, led women’s Bible studies and sang in the church choir for years! Her favorite foods were popovers made every Saturday morning since their marriage began and homemade ice cream any day of the week all made by Jim! 

Her favorite Bible verse was “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up their wings as eagles. “ Isaiah 40:31 “In our own strength we grow tired and weary, but when we wait on the Lord, just as the waitress or waiter waits on us, we are renewed to accomplish all that he has called us to do…he intends for us to soar.” Jack E. Dawson — Dorothy leaned on Jesus for her strength well. 

She is survived by her husband James Watson, daughter: Cindy (John) Klimt, grandchildren: Adam (Alex) Klimt, Jenna (Jordan) Posie, James (Jen) Klimt, Ryan (Rachel) Klimt, Michelle (Lucas) Adam, LeAnna (Jonathan) Roeck, Nathan Klimt, and Joseph Klimt, great grandchildren: Callen Posie and Phoebe Klimt, a brother: Leonard Murray, and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister: Donna Johnson, brother-in-law: Bruce Johnson, and sister-in-law: Carol Murray.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Heartland Hospice, Killarney Kourt and Union Grove Baptist Church for their compassionate care and support during Dorothy’s final months.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 5^th from 10-11am with the Celebration of Life service at 11am. It will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church, 417 15^th Ave, Union Grove, WI. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, with a 1pm service and 1:30pm Placement. Luncheon to follow at UGBC.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting memorial gifts be put in card box at the church day of service or be sent directly to: VCY America, 3434 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208. VCY has been a blessing to the family for years. They have a TV station (TV30), a radio station (107.7FM) and hold monthly rallies over the winter months in Waukesha proclaiming Jesus and truths. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

“As the apostle Paul tells us, though we naturally grieve at losing loved ones, we are not ‘to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope’ (1 Thess 4:13). Our parting is not the end of our relationship, only an interruption. We have not ‘lost’ them, because we know where they are. They are experiencing the joy of Christ’s presence in a place so wonderful that Christ called it Paradise. And one day, we’re told, in a magnificent reunion, they and we ‘will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.’” (1 Thess 4:17-18)  ~ Heaven; Randy Alcorn”

Jim’s last words to Dorothy “See you later.” 

Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations

3016 75^th Street Kenosha WI 53142

262-653-0667

www,caseyfamilyoptions.com