Karen Kay "KK" Watkins, 60, died Sunday, May 27, 2012 at her home in Upton, WY surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Upton Community Center. Burial will follow at Bell Park Cemetery near Rochford, SD. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday 1 hour prior to the funeral service at the community center in Upton.

Karen Kay Watkins was born to Robert (Bob) and Arlene Johnston on January 25, 1952, in Millington, Tennessee. She and her older sister grew up as a "Navy Brats" and were fortunate to live in Tennessee, Minnesota, California, Florida, and Hawaii (Hawaii being her favorite place to live as a child). At the age of 17, she was blessed with twin sisters and enjoyed being a "big-sister/mommy."

As an adult, Karen spent several years in Southern California where three of her four children were born (Shannon, Tiffany, and Roxanne) and spent a few years in Oregon where Robert was born. She married Dave Watkins on May 7, 1988. They made their home in Upton, WY, near the Black Hills of South Dakota where she would venture every year as a child on vacations with her parents and older sister Sharon. Her childhood memories were precious to her at the Johnston Family Cabin near Rochford, SD. That is where she would spend time with many family members including aunts, uncles, and cousins. Karen enjoyed her last few years as a homemaker, wife, mother, and grandma. Some of her interests include her dog, Sherman, four wheeling in the Black Hills, and building a cabin in Rochford, SD, with her husband, Dave, where they had one day hoped to retire. She loved to bake for the holidays, loved to entertain, and was the organizer of Johnston family reunions; she was the "glue" that held her family together. Most of her joy was when she could cook a meal or entertain for any family member and share laughter and stories about her children and grandchildren. She had several other interests over the years that included gardening, camping, fishing, hunting, quilting, skeet shooting, dart league, sold candles, attending athletic events for grandchildren, traveling, and skiing.

The last 6months of her life, she became a social butterfly when she was introduced to today's technology and became a facebook member. She enjoyed looking at all her friends and family's current pictures.

She is survived by her best friend, companion, and husband, Dave Watkins of Upton, WY; her children, Shannon Johnston of Highlands Ranch, CO, Tiffany (Scott) Oby of Monument, CO, Roxanne (Sam) Duarte of Upton, WY, and step-son, Willie White of Bakersfield, CA; and grandchildren, Dalton, Keenan, Kierra, Mackinsay, Kaylee, Caleb, Kailer, and Keanu. She was the best grandma EVER and all the kids knew they had her wrapped around their fingers. She is also survived by her sisters, Sharon Davies of Upton, WY, Robin (Ron) Bell of Bakersfield, CA, and Roberta (Peter) Weiglein of Chico, CA; nieces and nephews, Richelle Slinger, Chris Pelkey, Blake Pelkey, Sheridan Jensen, Hannah Weiglein, Bailee Weiglein, Shane Weiglein and Sydney Bell; and mother-in-law, Nettie Watkins of Upton, WY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert (Bob) A. Johnston and Arlene Johnston; and her son, Robert White.

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