Allie M. Watkins Voelker, 92, died on Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Fort Dodge, Kan. She was born Allie Marie Sutton on Feb. 24, 1920, in Logan County, Kan, the daughter of Lesley A. and Maude Elsie Epler Sutton. She attended schools in Gove County and Russell Springs, Kan.
In 1938 she married Charles M. Watkins, a farmer in Scott County, Kansas. In 1961, they moved into Scott City, where they owned and operated the Watkins Farm Supply store until 1981 when they retired. Charles died in 1988.
In 1997 Allie married Fred G. Voelker, and made her home in Fort Dodge, Kansas, until her passing. She loved playing the harmonica, crocheting, quilting, and other crafts. She was a member of the Community Christian Church, Scott City, Kan., the White Woman Basin Chapter of the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers, and Singers, and attended music jam sessions at Scott City, Lakin, Garden City, Cimarron, and Fort Dodge, Kansas. Fred died on February 22, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles M. Watkins; her second husband, Fred G. Voelker; an infant son, Everett Eugene Watkins; a son, Earl Richard Watkins; a granddaughter, Erin R. Shackelford; four brothers; and one sister.
She leaves to mourn her passing two sons, Charles M. Watkins and wife Joyce, Burton, KS; and Lesley A. Watkins and wife Lynne, McAllen, TX; a daughter, Donna Bartunek and husband Bill, Salina; five stepsons, Robert Voelker and wife Shirley, Enid, OK; Johnnie Voelker, Mount Pleasant, TX; Albert Voelker and wife Carol, Olathe, KS; Dennis Voelker and wife Marcia, Pawnee Rock, KS; and Kevin Voelker and wife Deb, Collinsville, OK; a stepdaughter, Donna Evans and husband Dennis, Willow Park, TX; a brother, D.J. Sutton, O’Fallon, MO; a sister, Alice Sutton, Garden City, KS; nine grandchildren; 18 step-grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren, 29 step-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Scott County Cemetery, Scott City with pastor Scott Wagner officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Soldiers’ Home, Fort Dodge, Kan.
This article originally appeared on Dodge City Daily Globe: Allie M. Watkins Voelker
