Elaine Watson, 93, Hays, died Friday, March 27, 2026 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
She was born February 14, 1933 in Spivey, Kansas, the daughter of Dwight and Myrna (Minor) Ingram. Elaine, was the woman with a huge, million-dollar smile, who could talk a blue streak and had a personality and distinct laugh you simply couldn’t forget. She was enthusiastic, energetic, and completely untamable in the best way. On December 15, 1948, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Fred Dale Watson, in Tribune. They were young, and together they built a big, beautiful family—five children and generations of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on April 30, 2011.
Elaine went to beauty school in Garden City, and had a beauty shop in her home while working various additional jobs. She never met a stranger and made friends everywhere she went, which served her well while selling World Book Encyclopedias and throughout her many years as sales manager for the Hutchinson News. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Northwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired.
She lived a full and adventurous life. Her loss of vision impacted her independence and ability to drive, yet she knew, if able, she could still drive anywhere without a map, even all the way back to Kentucky, just by memory. She was a good mother and grandmother, and a truly good woman who was tenacious, strong, and unforgettable to those who had the honor to know her, love her, and to be loved by her.
Survivors include her daughters Leann Hughes and husband Walter of Oakley, Janiece Bradstreet and husband Bill of Oakley, and Vanessa Reed and husband Henry of Kalvesta, her son-in-law Craig Rixon of McCracken, two sisters, Ginger Ingram-Brown of Wichita Falls, TX and Melba Stevens and husband Chuck of Arvada, CO, her sister-in-law Theoma Ingram of Tribune, 16 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 19 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred, son Roger Watson, her daughter Deb Rixon, her brother Dwain Ingram, a grandson Todd Sewell, and a brother-in-law Noal Brown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Brian McCaffrey officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 1:45 on Wednesday with a Rosary at 1:15, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested for masses or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Condolences and memories of Elaine may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com