Mary Ellen Williams

August 1, 1918 - March 9, 2007

Mary Ellen Williams, 88, formerly of Boone, Iowa and currently of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away at her daughters home in Ankeny, Iowa on Tuesday morning, March 6, 2007. She was born on August 1, 1918, on her mothers birthday, in Jefferson, Iowa the daughter of Clyde Isaac Ike and Geneva (Olson) Thompson. On October 15, 1941, she married Hans H. Williams of Luther, Iowa at her parents home. Mary Ellen was a graduate of Boone High School class of 1936 and graduated from Drake University in 1961. She taught 3rd grade in Perry, Iowa for two years before coming to the Boone Community Schools teaching 3rd grade at Bryant and 2nd grade at Page, teaching for 26 years until her retirement in 1981. She was a member of the First Baptist Church for 78 years, the American Legion Auxiliary, Retired Teachers, was a Life member of ISEA, a charter member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Honorary Sorority and AARP. Mary Ellen was a volunteer at Boone County Hospital and worked in the Scenic Valley Railroad gift shop. Mary Ellen enjoyed crocheting, flower gardening, reading and in past years traveling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Capt. Hans Williams who was missing in action in the South Pacific during World War II, parents, a brother Clyde, a sister Thelma and a son-in-law Ben Pollard. Survivors include her daughter Colleen and Larry Anderson of Ankeny, a brother Gerald Earl and Romayne of California, a brother-in-law Marvin and Jeanne Williams of Mason City, Iowa, 3 grandchildren Hans and Amy Pollard of Boone, Heather Pollard of Dallas, Texas and Holly and Todd Christensen of Des Moines, Iowa, 4 great-grandchildren Jack and Julia Christensen both of Des Moines, and Catherine and Henry Pollard both of Boone, 3 step-grandchildren Matthew Anderson, Melissa and Jerry Spencer of Roland, Iowa, Meredith and Kevin Van Houten of Dunlap, Iowa, 6 step-great-grandchildren Kilie and Mychal Spencer both of Roland, Iowa, Colton and Caleigh Van Houten both of Dunlap, Iowa, Kirsten and Serenity Anderson, many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Saturday morning, March 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Boone, with Rev. John Swoyer officiating. Interment will be in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone, Iowa. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at the First Baptist Church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. The family will be present at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to greet friends. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church. Stark-Welin Funeral Directors in Boone, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.