Margie Marie Watkins, of Troy, was born June 21, 1923 in Axtell, Kansas to Peter Syv Knudsen and Minnie (Ringen) Knudsen and died March 12, 2015.

Margie attended country schools in Marshall County, Kansas and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1941, then taught in country schools for 3 years. She married Merlin Edmond Watkins on September 22, 1945 at Seneca, Kansas, and they were the parents of three children. They lived on farms near Frankfort, Beattie and Summerfield, Kansas for several years, then spent three years in Arkansas, after which they moved to a farm near Troy, Kansas in September of 1960. Margie was an avid horse back rider and outdoors woman. She was an accomplished artist and sold thousands of oil paintings on canvas, mirrors, buzz saw blades, 2 man saw blades and anything that could be painted on, including turkey feathers. Her paintings were in demand all aver the U.S., including honey bees in Takoma, Washington and an oil painting for President Reagan when he was in office. Margie was preceded in death by husband, Merlin E. Watkins, parents, Pete and Minnie Knudsen, step-father, Mark Knudsen, brothers, Mark Knudsen Jr. and Marvin Knudsen and a daughter, Mary Lee Watkins Boatright.

Survivors are a daughter, Merlina Mae “Nicky” Gilliland (Tom) of Atchison, Kansas Son, Morris E. Watkins (Carla) of Troy, Kansas, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren and many friends.

FUNERAL: 10:00 A.M. Sunday, March 15, 2015 At: Harman Rohde Funeral Home in Troy Burial: 2:00 P.M. Prospect Hill Cemetery in Blue Rapids, Kansas, after the graveside family and friends will meet at the Marysville Pizza Hut for a final farewell to a beloved family member. Visitation: family will receive friends 6-8 at the funeral home; friends may call after 12 noon Saturday. Memorials: Shriner’s Crippled Children www.harmanrohde.com