back to home page  

back to KHS Teachers

back to Klemme School

Paul M. Watnem

1932 - 1991

Funeral Thursday for Paul Watnem

Former Forest City resident, Paul M. Watnem of Dubuque, died March 30, 1991, at Finley Hospital in Dubuque following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services for Watnem will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Ole Winter officiated.

Soloist Don Meyer was accompanied by organist Leonard Markusen. Casket bearers will be Phillip, Allen, Bruce, Randy and E4 Greg Watnem and George Brainerd. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held Thursday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Watnem was born April 27, 1932, in Ottosen to Percy and Kuella Mitsven Watnem. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottosen. Watnem graduated from Ottosen High School, graduated from Waldorf College and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

Watnem joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and while serving in the army, he married Carolyn Classich. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Watnem attended the University of Northern Iowa. Upon graduation he began his teaching career. Watnem taught Industrial arts and science at the junior high school at Klemme and Clear Lake School Districts.

He served as mayor of Klemme from 1972-1974. After teaching at Clear Lake, Watnem began work at Winnebago Industries, designing blueprints for modular homes.

From 1978 to 1987 he was the director of building and grounds at Waldorf College. Nov. 12, 1983, he was married to Marian Nienhaus. Watnem subsequently joined Servicemaster as a buildings and grounds manager and was transferred to Shakopee, Minn. While there he served the Shakopee Public School System. In 1989, the Watnems accepted transfer to Dubuque where Paul was plant and operations manager at Finley Hospital. He continued to work there until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Marian; a daughter, Paula Sisley of Omaha, Neb.; two sons, Phillip of Eugene, Ore., and E4 Gregory of Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev.; a step-daughter, Kathie Nienhaus of Waterloo; his parents, Percy and Luella Watnem of Ottosen; and three brothers, Allen of Ottosen, Bruce of Pocohontas and Randy of Humboldt.



source: Summit, Forest City, Iowa, 3 Apr 1991, page A3, column 1

 

************************************************************