Prudence Aphne Watje was born on June 5th, 1923 in Yetter Iowa to Frank and Mary (McCulloch) Gerjets. Mary’s brother Bob was well known as the inventor of the chainsaw. He bought the London Bridge and built the City of Lake Havasu, California. Prudence inherited that entrepreneurial spirit and was a very successful Avon Associate for over 50 years winning many awards and acolades.
After graduating from High School Prudence attended business school. She worked at a department store in Spencer IA for a time – which is where she met her future husband Ed Watje when he came in to buy a baby gift for a friend.
Prudence and Ed married on December 17th 1944 in Worthington Minnesota. Ed then left to serve in the Marine Corps during World War II. The couple farmed southeast of Round Lake from 1945 to 1985. Prudence and Ed moved to New Brighton MN in 1985 where she continued to sell Avon and worked as a property manager for their friends Jim and Martha Demetriou until 2012. She then moved to Heritage of Edina first in assisted living and then to long term care.
Prudence is survived by 3 sons Val (Beverly Powers) Brewster, Vince (Suzanne Hinton), Willmar MN, Galen (Teresa Thiner) of Bloomington. Nine grandchildren – Kim Lambert, Neil Watje, Amy Untiedt, Jed Watje, Daniel (Jess) Watje,Jay Watje, Jenita (Tim)Pace, Jonathan (Emily) Watje, Karl Watje. Eleven great grandchildren – Daryl Lambert, Elly Watje, Emma Barker, MyLee Watje, Alex, Brody & Devin Untiedt, Belle Watje, Claire Watje. Carter Pace, Mathew Pace. Also she had 1 great grandchild on the way. Nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by her Husband Ed, Son Burton and 3 younger siblings, George Gerjets, Maxine VanDahlen and Francis Sweet
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday February 6 at Benson Funeral home in Worthington at 1:00. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. She will be buried in Round Lake Cemetery.
The funeral service will be live streamed on Benson Funeral Home facebook page.
Previous Events
Visitation
6
Feb
1225 Ryans Road
Worthington, MN 56187
Service
6
Feb
1225 Ryans Road
Worthington, MN 56187
