CLEAR LAKE — Alice “Joanne” Watkins, 97, died October 10, 2026, at the IOOF Home in Mason City, leaving generations of memories as an art teacher who encouraged creativity and found possibility in imperfect projects. In her classroom, children could color outside the lines, make a mess and discover that a mistake might instead be a “beautiful boo-boo.”
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2026, at First Congregational Church, 923 Buddy Holly Place, in Clear Lake, with Pastor Harlan Seri officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service. Inurnment will take place at Clear Lake Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to First Congregational Church in her memory. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is assisting the family.
Joanne was born September 10, 1929, in Des Moines, the daughter of Hubert and Gladys Virginia Choate Watkins. She grew up in Clear Lake with her maternal grandparents, Walter and Maude Palmeter Choate, and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1947.
She continued her studies at Mason City Junior College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State College, now Iowa State University. Apart from periods spent away for college and teaching, Clear Lake remained her lifelong home.
Joanne taught in Independence and Clear Lake and also spent seven years working as an operator for the Clear Lake Telephone Company.
As an art teacher, she encouraged students to explore their ideas without worrying about getting everything exactly right. Her family’s tribute describes former students who recall not only her enthusiasm for teaching, but also her interest in their lives.
That commitment extended to her church, friendships and community. Joanne belonged to First Congregational Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood and Wa-Tan-Ye. She maintained friendships reaching back to childhood and had a special affection for dogs.
Family history fascinated her. She pursued genealogy with her Aunt Ada Kaye Thompson, sharing an interest in the people and connections that shaped their family.
The Fourth of July brought another kind of history to life. For generations, family and friends gathered on Joanne’s porch to celebrate. She also spent many years making floats for Clear Lake’s Independence Day parade, bringing her creative talents into one of her hometown’s favorite traditions.
Joanne is survived by her nephew, Doug (Susan) Watkins of La Crescent, Minnesota; niece, Ruth Watkins (Bob Young) of Champaign, Illinois; and cousins, Tom (Jean) Choate of Madison, Wisconsin, and Douglas (Mary) Thompson of Houston, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents, Hubert and Virginia Watkins; brother, Dr. Peter Watkins; nephew, Paul Watkins; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Among the relatives who held important places in her life were Ada and Harold Thompson, Sally and Gale Burke, and Roger and Betty Choate.
Her family expressed gratitude to the IOOF Home staff for the thoughtful care Joanne received during the final two and one-half years of her life.
Family and friends may share memories and condolences through Joanne’s obituary at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.
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