Arnold "Ray" Watkins

Arnold "Ray" Watkins, age 91 of Litchfield, MN passed away Thursday January, 14, 2021 on his 91st birthday at the Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield. A walk through visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 11am-2pm at the Johnson Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service. There will be a private family service at 2:00 PM followed by military honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Interment will be at the Forest City Cemetery. Ray was born to Mabel and Emerald “Waddy” Watkins January 14, 1930 in Litchfield, MN where he lived most of his life. He enlisted in the Navy in 1950. After boot camp he took great pride in being in the Ceremonial Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Ray married Violet Leona Kemp July 17, 1954 and four daughters were born of this marriage. Although they eventually divorced they remained friends. He married Lorraine “Lorri” Hochstedler June 22, 1991 and gained an extended family including her five children. Ray had an interesting variety of jobs including milkman, baker, shingler and shoe repair man before settling into his permanent career at the Litchfield Municipal Power Plant until his retirement. His passion for sports included bowling, softball, horseshoes and shooting pool. He had very well kept statistics of all the sports he played and had an extensive collection of trophies. His hobbies included gardening, collecting albums and marbles, preserving old photos and researching family history. He also loved to organize and started the local chapter of The Son’s of American Legion, the horseshoe league in Litchfield and many family reunions. He was a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed. Ray is survived by his wife Lorri Watkins; siblings Alvin Watkins and Dorothy Lindemann; daughters Deborah (Jack) Heacock, Denise Ross, Donna Pearson, Darla (David) Kauppi; extended family Christie (David) Wright, Cindi (Kate) Gorr, Cori (Gaylen) Heacock, Cheri (Tony) Korman, Chad (Kandy) Hochstedler; 17 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Emerald and Mabel; brothers Harold, Donald, Marvin and Maynard; sister Evelyn Reinke; sister-in-law Diane; brothers-in-law Orville Reinke and Norbert Lindemann. Your kind expression of sympathy and friendship will always remain in our memories. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.