Derald Ellis Watson, age 97, of Baxter, died on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Essentia Health – St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to gather for one hour prior to the celebration. Interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Derald was born on July 8, 1928 to Ellis and Viola Watson (Gardner) in Alexandria, South Dakota. He was raised and completed school in Freeman, South Dakota. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and served from 1946 to 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1952 to 1956.

He met the love of his life, Donna while working at Land O' Lakes Dairy. Together, they had four sons. Derald worked at Benson Motor Electric as an electric motor repairman.

He is survived by two sons, Mark Watson and Keith Watson; many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Gregory and Derald Jr.; his wife Donna of 61 years, brothers Glen and Carl, sister Dorothy, and parents Ellis and Viola.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to LifeSource of Minneapolis, MN.