Joanna D. Watkins

On December 27, 2014, Joanna Dawn (Becker) Watkins, of Sioux City, Iowa passed into the loving arms of Christ at Holy Spirit Retirement Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date when all of her family and friends can gather. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com Joanna was born on January 13, 1952 and resided at Holy Spirit Retirement Home for the last fifteen years where she received loving, wonderful care. She was a member of Riverside Lutheran Church and other Christian churches in her lifetime. She will be so dearly missed by her family and friends. Joanna was loved by many for her loving ways, and her sweet and gentle personality which remained to the end. She was an inspiration to her Nieces in their career choices, who work with people with disabilities. Joanna enjoyed a brief nursing career before she was afflicted with the adult-onset of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, and later worked at St. Luke's Hospital. Joanna was married once and then later divorced from D. Watkins. She loved to sing and could sing long after her communicative voice was lost. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Jinna and Dana Ralston of Sandy, Utah, her nieces; Caitlin Ralston, of Oshkosh, WI and Callie (and Nick) Milledge, and grandnephew, Macklan Ralston Milledge, all of Sherwood, WI. Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Ruth Becker, her brothers, Jesse Becker and Jay Becker, and her nephew, Adam Ralston. Donations can be made to the United Leukodystrophy foundation (www.igive.com/ULF), an organization that is searching for a cure and supports patients and their families.