Kristine Louise Watson

Kristine Louise Watson

Kristine Louise Watson, 75, passed away peacefully on November 27 at Carefree Living in Babbitt, MN.

She was born March 12, 1950 in Royal Oak, MI to Earl (Swede) and Lois (Horine) Johnson.

Kris graduated in 1968 from Bentley High School in LaVonia, MI (a suburb of Detroit).

Kris and Jim were married April 3, 1970 in Ironwoood, MI. They started their life together in Circle Pines, then moved to Aurora, MN in 1973, where they raised their two daughters.

Kris was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader. She worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis, MN and at Munsing Wear in Ashland, WI. After moving to Aurora, she worked at ERT, Green Needle, and her most favorite – LTV Steel – where some of her co-workers became life-long friends.

Kris was a woman of many talents, holding various positions in the Up North Quilt Guild for 20 years. She enjoyed baking, gardening, crafting, sewing and quilting (which she started in Jr. High). In the fall months, you could find Kris at various craft shows around the Iron Range - selling her Barbie and American Doll clothes, along with her sought after sweater mittens. She enjoyed listening to 50s and 60s music, but most of all, her Heart Throb, "Sir Tom Jones". Above all, her passion in life was spending it with her family.

Kris is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years – Jim; daughters – Patti (Justin) Mineheine of Aurora, MN, and Dawn (Dave) Serena of Babbitt, MN; grandchildren – Kyle Dale of Superior, WI, Abbi Dale of Ely, MN, DJ Serena of Babbitt, MN; bonus grandchildren - Wyatt and Rylee Mineheine; and twin great granddaughters – Claire and Cecelia.

She was preceded in death by her only brother – Earl (Ted) Johnson; parents – Earl (Swede) and Lois (Horine) Johnson.

The family would like to thank Essentia Health Oncology, East Range Hospice and close family and friends for the upmost support. Most of all, thanks to all of the staff at Carefree Living in Babbitt for their love and compassion.

A Celebration of Life for Kris will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 12:00-4:00 PM at the Aurora Community Center, 15 W. First Avenue N., Aurora, MN.