Martha Rose Watkins

Martha Rose Watkins was born on September 2, 1993, to Raymond Jr. and Annette Martha (Halbur) Watkins in Visalia, California. A short while later, the family moved back to Denison, Iowa, to be close to Children's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for Martha's sister, Harlie. She attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and graduated from Denison High School in 2012. Following high school, Martha worked as a dog groomer and did boarding at the Pampered Pooch in Denison; that's where she fell in love with dogs. She worked as a bartender, as a welder and at a convenience store.

Martha loved live-music and going to concerts. She enjoyed camping and fishing with close friends. She cherished taking her dogs swimming at the lake and to the dog parks in Denison and Carroll; she loved her babies, Saphire, Pearl, Ox, and her kitten, Chicken Nugget. She loved life and her family. Martha was a giving person who would help anyone. Her brother, Dean, was her biggest support. He's always looked out for her. She was Daddy's girl and Momma's mini me. The Ritchie family was very dear to her, especially Alma, as she knew she could always go there for fun times, comfort and safety; they were her second family.

Martha passed away at home on May 3, 2021, at the age of 27 years, eight months and one day.

Martha was preceded in death by her younger sister, Harlie Watkins; grandfather, Raymond Watkins, Sr.; step-grandmother, Angel Watkins; and uncle, Dean Halbur. She is survived by her parents, Ray and Annette Watkins of Vail, Iowa; brother, Dean Watkins of Manilla, Iowa; maternal grandparents, Larry and JoAnn Halbur of Denison; paternal grandmother, Georgina Martin of Canada; three aunts and uncles: Brenda and Bennett Freese and their children, Mackenzie and Austin of Denison, Cindy and John Dinis and their children, Tanysha, Bevan, Philip and Lilian of Visalia, California; Ed and Sara Halbur and their children, Addison and Gabriel of Ankeny, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.


A viewing for relatives and close friends of her family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Huebner Funeral Home in Denison on Friday, May 14, 2021.

A private family graveside service will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery.

The family will direct memorials.