Delbert Watson

Delbert Watson, 76, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. 

  A funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Bernie Colorado officiating.  Burial followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton, Iowa.  Memorials may be directed to the Delbert Watson Memorial Fund.

    Delbert Donovan Watson was born on April 4, 1936, in Thornton to Gerald and Nellie (Nicolet) Watson.  He attended Mount Vernon #4 country school through eighth grade and graduated in 1954 from Clear Lake High School.

    Delbert married Mary Ann Mathre on Sept. 1, 1957 at Clear Lake United Methodist Church. The couple farmed south of Clear Lake.

Delbert was an active member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church.  He was a member of the Ventura School Board from 1974-1984.  He was also a member of the Cerro Gordo County ASCS Committee, a Union Township Trustee and a member of the North Iowa Vintage Auto Club.

    Delbert’s main hobby was farming.  He was a talented mechanic who was very good at fixing machinery.  He also enjoyed the challenge of creating equipment to be used in the farming operation.  Other interests included antique cars and tractors.

    Delbert is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Ann.  His five children, Joel (Mary) McChesney, Milwaukee, Wis., Michael Watson, Linda (Brent) Scarrow, Janet (Randy) Brager, and Bradley (Michelle) Watson, all of Clear Lake.  He is survived by 14 grandchildren, Corinne (Andy) Higgins, Ann Arbor, Mich., Conor McChesney, Omaha, Neb., Colin McChesney, Minneapolis, Minn., Katie McChesney, Milwaukee, Andy (Melissa) Scarrow, Story City, Iowa, Dawn (Charlie) Scott, Dallas, Texas, Dan and Steve Scarrow, both of Clear Lake, Laura Brager, Copper Center, Ala., Emily (Ben) DuBose, Franklin, Tenn., Molly Brager, Franklin, Tenn.,  Megan, Scott and Joel Watson, all of Clear Lake; and three great-grandchildren, Abbigail, Hope and Samuel Scarrow, Story City.  He is also survived by a sister, Ardella Boldt, San Diego, Calif.; a brother, Jerry (Judy) Watson, Clear Lake; in-laws, Florence (Gene) Ferden, Manly, Iowa, Jean Biederman, Osage, Iowa, Nadine Mathre, Nora Springs, Iowa, Roger (Pat) Mathre, Nora Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Severt (Ed) and Mary Mathre; brother-in-laws, James Turner, Ralph Boldt, Robert Biederman, and Richard Mathre.