Debra Sue (Smith) Watkins

Debra Watkins, 71, of Bemidji, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Debra requested that she have no services.

Debra Sue Smith was born on January 29, 1955, in Nashville, Tennessee, to George and Agnes Smith. As a young girl, her family moved to Blackduck, Minnesota, where she later graduated from Blackduck High School.

Debra married Gene Theisen, and together they welcomed a son and two daughters. In the early 1980s, she began working for Potlatch near Bemidji as a scaler. She later married Curt Beck, and they had one daughter. In 1993, she married Duane Watkins, and the two retired from Potlatch in 2001.

Debra enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and the peaceful life of living on the lake. She cherished time spent with her family and found joy in the simple, beautiful moments of everyday life.

She is survived by her children: Scott (Melissa) Theisen, Sarah Theisen, Skyla (Justin Lundeen) Theisen, and Lacy (Troy) Tronnes; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren; her siblings: Gayle (Norman) Pater, Kathy (Bob) Pond, April (Bill) Cunningham and Laura (Kevin Provo) Pater.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Duane; her parents; and her siblings John Smith, Bridget Snider, and Joy Barnes.

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