Mary Elizabeth Williams

Mary E. Williams, age 77, passed away March 11, 2015 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. She was born on November 4, 1937 in Duluth, MN and graduated from St. Scholastica College in Duluth with a B.S. degree in nursing. During her lifetime she practiced nursing until finally retiring on disability from Broadlawns Hospital in the early 1990's. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Eleanor Elmquist, and her stepfather Wallace Wilson, all of Duluth. She is survived by her sister Patricia Splan of Duluth, a stepsister Marilyn MacGregor of Mankato, Minnesota and a stepbrother Robert Wilson of Charlotte, Michigan. Mary was married April 7, 1969 to Richard A. Williams. As a couple they lived in West Branch, Humboldt and Fort Madison before finally landing in Urbandale where they have lived since 1977. Their children are Patricia A. Williams of Urbandale and David W. Williams of Aurora, Colorado. Their grandchildren are Megan, Ryan, Zachary and Alyssa Rinke of Urbandale and Dalen Williams of Aurora, Colorado. Friends and family are invited to visitation and a vigil service at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday March 15th. A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Monday March 16th followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. Mary was an inveterate reader until her decreasing vision made it impossible and she was most supportive of the family's efforts to add to the collection of the library at St. Pius X School. Memorial contributions will be dedicated to support of the library.