White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Kathleen Evelyn Williams, 94 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, October 10, 2013, at ABCM Rehab Independence – West in Independence.  She was born on October 9, 1919, in Fayette County near West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Roy Hoover and Alta Anna Margaret (Drewes) Torson.  She graduated from high school in West Union with the Class of 1937.  On September 24, 1937, she and Leo Robert Pierce were married at the Presbyterian parsonage in Manchester, Iowa.  They divorced in 1958.  On November 9, 1968, she and Chester Henry Williams were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  He preceded her in death in 1975.  Before retiring in 1981, Mrs. Williams was a psychiatric aide for 27 and a half years at the Mental Health Institute in Independence.  She was baptized and confirmed on July 6, 1952 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point, Iowa, and she was a member of Immanuel Luther Church in Independence.

Mrs. Williams was a “farmer’s wife” and home maker who loved her family and enjoyed doing things to help others.  She made many quilts for her family and spent a lot of time working on them with her church circle.  She also traveled with her friends on bus tours all over the U.S.A.  She also played cards and was always lucky.

Mrs. Williams is survived by 2 daughters, Barbara Gerdes of Strawberry Point, Iowa, and Karen (Keith) Brimmer of Center Point, Iowa, six grandchildren, Bruce Gerdes of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Daryl Gerdes of Strawberry Point, Iowa, Mary (Russell) Lamphier of Manson, Iowa, Connie Gerdes of Hanlontown, Iowa, Kandace McCue of Des Moines, Iowa, and Karmen (Kevin) Haynes of Center Point, Iowa, seven great grandchildren, Adam, Wesly (Michelle) and Brent Lamphier, all of Manson, Keisha and KeAndre of Des Moines, and Kallee and Kamryn Haynes of Center Point, and 3 great great grandchildren, Andrea and Alexander Lamphier and Chase Lamphier, all of Manson.  She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Nona Torson of Elgin, Iowa, many nieces and nephews, and one special friend, Jean Gillpatrick and her dog, Angel.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and brother-in-law, one brother, and one son-in-law, Edwin Gerdes.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence with Pastor Greg DeBoer officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

“Kathleen was the wind beneath the wings of five generations of family and was truly our rock and our anchor, as well as being our Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma, and our best friend.  She is admired, honored, loved and will be greatly missed by her family.”