Grace Watkins

Grace (Seehafer) Watkins, age 79, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Sanford Health – Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Pastor Timothy Koch will officiate, and interment will be at Milbank Cemetery.

Grace Elizabeth Seehafer was born on June 23, 1942, on the family farm near Corona, SD, to Carl and Ida (Poel) Seehafer. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona. Grace grew up in the Corona area and graduated from Corona High School in 1960.

Always a hard worker, Grace worked in finance at Dakota State/Marquette Bank in Milbank. She was the first one there in the morning and one of the last ones to leave. Grace also raised her two girls, Salena and Jill.

Grace was an active member of Emanuel Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. After retirement, she volunteered with small school children and around her community.

In her free time, Grace enjoyed reading, gardening, and watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. She also enjoyed traveling to the beach with her family and loved feeling the sun on her face. Most of all, she revered the time she got to spend with her grandchildren. They would play board games, cards, and did many other activities together.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Salena (Brad) Reimer of Sioux Falls, SD; and Jill (Russ) Binns of Morrison, CO; five grandchildren: Olivia Reimer, Jacob Reimer, Reagan Reimer, Oliver Binns, and Remi Binns; sister, Esther Payne; brothers: Lloyd (Judy) Seehafer and Alvin (Sam) Seehafer; sister-in-law, Eleanor Seehafer; along with many nieces and nephews; and several cousins.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Ralph Ado Seehafer and Harold (Marcy) Seehafer; and sister-in-law, Lavonne Seehafer.

Grace’s family has requested memorials be preferred to Ava’s House Hospice.