Carol lived a full life in service to others, loving all those she knew unconditionally. She had a ready smile, a sharp wit, and loved to make people laugh. She loved to laugh also. She was a fierce friend to many.

Carol "Butch" Ann Newman Watts, age 86, of Canyon, Minnesota, passed away July 8, 2026, at Benedictine's Marywood with her spouse, "Joe," and her granddaughter, Dawn, by her side.

Carol was born in Barnum to Charles and Muriel Newman on July 20, 1939. She went to school her whole life in Barnum and graduated in 1957. She was active in chorus, band, pep club, the Bomber Club, GAA, and cheerleading during her time in high school. After school, she began working in customer service at Minnesota Power & Light. She was featured in their marketing campaign as the "Ask Carol" girl for all customer needs. Every one of those employees loved Carol as their boss. She spent her entire working career at Minnesota Power & Light, and she retired as a supervisor.

She married George Watts on December 16, 1967. She was very accepting and kind to Joe's four daughters he had from a previous marriage. They had a big life and traveled all over the world, whether it be via car, camper, 5th wheel trailer, or a motorhome. Then onto the wild blue yonder in their four-seater 172 XP Cessna airplane. They lived on the lake at the time in Canyon, so of course it was parked at their dock on floats. She was her husband's co-pilot for many fly trips. She and George purchased a fishing camp on Lawrence Lake, Ontario, Canada. Those two, and lucky guests, spent many summers there. The only way into the camp was by boat or plane, or if you could brave the winter, a snowmobile would get you there too. She was always by his side, fetching this and that, cooking their fresh-caught walleye and trout. They wintered in Texas for many years. They had a sauna at every home, and Carol usually lit it up for her husband. Carol consistently made friends wherever she went; it just came natural to her. She loved her girlfriends.

She enjoyed curling in her younger years, participating as part of the Minnesota state women's team in 1973. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and word puzzles. She was a devoted member of St. Peter's ELCA Lutheran Church in Canyon. She and her best friend, Roxanne, made pasties for fundraisers for many years.

She was a faithful daughter, loving aunt, loyal wife, and stepmother, great-aunt, a grandmother, and great-grandmother. She held fantastic pleasure in teaching her granddaughter and great-granddaughter crocheting and pastie making.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Charles and Muriel Newman), her siblings (Clem, Harold, Roger, James, Herman, Kenny, Gordon, Avis, Janis, and Joyce), and her stepdaughter, Jorjetta Hermsen.

As well as many dear friends.

She is survived by her husband, George Watts; stepdaughters Tana Reimer, Denice Watts, and Laura Quatrano; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Her family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the supportive staff at Marywood and to Aspirus St. Luke's Hospice, who made her transition a beautiful, peaceful experience.

An interment service will be held at Sunrise Funeral Home Chapel on July 18 at 2 PM at 4798 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown, MN.