Dorothy Williams
June 29, 1929 - May 6, 2017
From: Des Moines, IA | Originally: Nevada, IA
Dorothy J. Williams, age 87, of Des Moines and formerly of Nevada, died Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Wesley Acres in Des Moines.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, with Pastor David R. Burling officiating. Burial will follow in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from Noon until the time of services.
Born June 29, 1929, in Milford Township, Story County, Iowa, Dorothy Jean Williams was the daughter of Mickel and Christine (Mortvedt) Tendall. She graduated from Milford High School in 1947.
Dorothy worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. for a time, then returned to Iowa and was married to Wendell Williams. The couple welcomed one son, Randy, to their family. They lived on a farm near Hickory Grove and, in 1962, moved to Nevada. Dorothy worked in various capacities at the Story County Courthouse while Wendell was still alive. In 1978, she took a job with the Animal Disease Lab where she worked until retirement.
Dorothy was a member of Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, participated in several bridge clubs, and enjoyed singing with the Sweet Adeline’s for many years.
Survivors include her son and his wife, Randy and Cherie Williams of Des Moines; two grandchildren, Kelsey and Joe; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sisters, Grace Twedt and Kathryn Hemer; and two brothers, Raymond Tendall and Leonard Tendall.
Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Dorothy and her family.
Condolences
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 5:36 PM
“So sorry to hear today about "Bonee" Dorothy passing. She has always held a special place in the "White Gorls" heart and memories. May God speed her to hubby Wendell, she has been without him for so many years. PRAYERS and HUGS to the family. She'll be playing the piano, and Mom and Dad (Don and Lola) will be there to meet her!
Love, Dianna White Haley ”
- Dianna Haley
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 10:41 AM
“Randy and Family, I am sorry to read of your loss of Dorothy. She was a nice lady and good to my grandmother. I remember when she would come in to sit on the porch; Chipper would stand on his back legs and look in the door and cry, so she would carry him in and he would sit on her lap.
Thinking of you,
One of Amy's granddaughters”
- The Day Family
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 12:34 PM
“To Dorothy's descending family, friends and Milfordites,
We certainly are saddened to hear of Dorothy's death, another chapter has closed for a very special family and Milfordite. I had recently talked her on the phone when we shared good Milford memories. In HS she sang in the 1947 National Music Contest along with her class mates, our Milford Boys Quartet. Her class of 9 was very outstanding and the first Milford Sr Class we- Florine, Art & I- experienced when we moved from Fernald to our own farm. The Tendall family's back fence was mutual for our adjacent Borton farm in Section 11. Their frontage road, the Roland road or R77, was shared with the Hughes farm. In fact Dale remembers Dorothy as being his baby sister. And when we were at the Lincoln Highway Days with our book, "Milford Twp, And Proud of It!" she would stop, during her exercise walks, and talk with us and tell us stories about her experiences with Dale and Loyd and other things that had happened in Milford Twp, like when Dick Hall let her fly his airplane and landed it on their farm, her Dads reaction, etc. It was always fun to chat with her, she seemed like an older sister. Dorothy will certainly be missed by all who knew her. Light a candle and the glow and warmth will remind us of the memories and blessings she shared. May she now RIP till we meet again. God's grace and Peace be with you, as we share her difficult closure. Milfordite, Jurine Borton Moore, Class of '56
”
- Jurine Borton Moore
Monday, May 8, 2017 at 10:11 AM
“Awwww...sweet Dorothy. She was my neighbor for a few years and was a delight to sit on porch and chat with. My thoughts are with the family...savor the memories.”
- Sandy Hunerdosse
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