Emma M. Walters, 86, Sturgis, passed away Monday, February 2, 2009, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Emma was born July 23, 1922, in McIntosh, SD, to George and Julia (Kastosh) Melvin. She grew up and attended school in McIntosh and later moved, as a teenager, to Watertown, SD. She met and later married Willis R. "Bill" Walters on April 3, 1940.

Together they worked and built a successful business, Tinkertown Treasure Shop, including the landmark, "The World's Largest Pheasant" on Hwy 212, 14 miles west of Watertown. After her husband's death in 1980, Emma ran the business for several more years, selling it in 1983 and moving to Watertown. She lived in Watertown until July 2006 when she moved to Sturgis to be near family.

She is survived by her sister, Mary "Babe" Traxel, Elgin, ND; three sons, Wayne (Margaret) Walters, Sheridan, WY, Dennis (Judy) Walters, Aurora, CO, and Curtis "Corky" (Karen) Walters, Sturgis; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, five sisters, and two brothers.

Emma will be cremated and will be taken back to her beloved Watertown for inurnment at a later date.

A memorial has been established.