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Jessie Williams Jessie Northey Williams was born October 11, 1907 to Albert and Carrie Thompson Northey on their farm west of Milford. There were already 3 older sister and 2 brothers in the home and later 2 more sisters came to bless the family. Jessie grew up with her loving family in the rural community west of Milford. She was baptized and became a life-long member of the Excelsior Methodist Church, a few miles northwest of the family farm. That church and its congregation were a major joy and commitment of Jessie as long as she was able to attend. She started school in a rural one room school a mile from home and then attended and graduated from Okoboji Township High School in 1925. A few classes from Iowa State University and then completion of her teachers certificate in Elementary Education from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in Cedar Falls in 1929 equipped her for teaching youngsters to read, write and enjoy their school education. She taught in the Excelsior Twp., Okoboji Twp., Hospers and Gillett Grove, Iowa schools during the next fifteen years. In April, 1946, she married Noel Williams, neighboring friend and farmer and joined his family of eight children, some of whom she had had as students in school, Sunday School or church camp. Later, their union was blessed with two more boys, making a large family of ten children. This group of diverse, independent and loving souls, and their families has long been one of Jessie’s greatest joys. Noel passed away in March, 1961, after the older children had left home. Jessie continued the farm operation and raising the two younger boys. She moved into Milford in 1976 when Wendell and his wife moved onto the farm. Jessie passed away October 15, 2004. She leaves to cherish her memory three sisters, Letitia, Ethel May and Helen; the families of her children; Jean Bruning, Lela Goodell, Mary Ruschmeyer(d), Ann and Ed Wagner, Tom and Bobbie Williams, Paul(d) and Connie Williams, Ruth and Jim McNelly, Margaret Drake, Wendell and Chris Williams, Ron and Ellen Williams; twenty-seven grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; numerous cousins, friends and loving neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband Noel, parents, sisters Faye and Ruth, brothers Gilbert and Claude, children Mary and Paul, sons-in-law Bill Bruning, Dale Goodell and Max Rushmeyer, numerous cousins, friends and other loved ones. At ninety-seven years of age, Jessie was eager to meet her Lord and Savior and share in his heavenly promise. IN MEMORY SERVICE CLERGY MUSIC HONORARY BEARERS PALLBEARERS INTERMENT |