Helen I. Watt

Helen I. Watt, 88, of Sabetha, died Sunday, April 6, 2008, at the Sabetha Hospital. Funeral mass was Friday, April 11, 11:00 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Solomon, Kansas. A rosary service was at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at the church. Father John Wolesky officiated. Burial was in the Prairie Dale Cemetery, Talmage, Kan. The lector was Jacob Nagely. The server was Rob Nagely. Gift bearers were Mary Jane Mortimer and Lori Prater. Mark Nagely played the organ while Joetta Nagely sang "Be Thou My Vision", "How Great Thou Art", "Song of Farewell", and "On Eagles Wings". Pallbearers were her six grandsons, Mark Nagely, Neal Nagely, Scott Nagely, Justin Nichols, Jarrod Nichols, and Travis Nichols; and two grandson-in-laws, Brian Gillespie and Jeff Schurle. Honorary pallbearers were great-grandsons, Jacob Nagely and Rob Nagely. Formerly of the Solomon and Salina area, Mrs. (Willard) Watt lived at rural Manchester from 1960-1993. She resided in Marysville from 1993 until 2005, and in Sabetha since. Helen was born June 11, 1919, near Salina, Kan., the daughter of Robert E. and Jane F. (Burns) Mason. She graduated from Kipp High School. In 1939 she married Wayne Nichols at Salina. On April 4, 1959, she married Willard J. Watt. He precedes her in death. She worked at Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator, Kansas Power & Light Co. in Salina, and the Talmage State Bank. She was an organizational member and the first president of the PBX (Public Business Exchange) Club in Salina. Her greatest joy was time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Until this last year, she was able to attend their many ball games, programs, and other activities. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Willard J. Watt; infant daughter, Janice Ann; four brothers, Robert, Sylvester, James, and infant Francis E. Mason; three sisters, Elizabeth "Bessie" Baier, Rosemary Shank, and Josephine Garrione. Survivors include two children, Judy Nagely and husband Arnold of Marysville, Kan., and Wayne Nichols and wife Karen of Morrill, Kan.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen I. Watt, please visit our flower store.