In Loving Memory of DONNA B. WILLIAMS

Born - March 1, 1928 - Manning, Iowa
Died - January 12, 2000 - Omaha, Nebraska
FUNERAL SERVICE Saturday, January 15, 2000 - 10:00
Pauley Funeral Home - Harlan, Iowa
CLERGY Pastor Jon Benson
ORGANIST Marge Ahrenholtz

CASKET BEARERS Jerry Lytle, Verne Elliot, Bill Johnson, Bernie Heller, Randy Nowatzke, Chuck Branstetter

An invitation is extended to the relatives and friends to meet with the family in the Fellowship Hall of Immanuel Lutheran Church prior to the committal service.

Interment Knoxville Cemetery - Knoxville, Iowa


Donna B. Williams
Donna Belle Williams was born on March 1, 1928 to Dorothy (Kroger) and William Joens in Manning, Iowa. She was a member of the 1946 graduating class of Manning High School. Following graduation, she attended Iowa Beauty School in Des Moines, Iowa where she later served as an instructor.

On August 25, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ted Williams in Highland Park, Illinois. Following their wedding, the couple resided in Des Moines, Iowa where Donna was employed at Addresssagraph Multigraph. The couple then made their home in Harlan, Iowa where Donna first worked for Sta-Bilt Construction Company and later for Monahan Loan Company. In 1961, Donna was appointed Shelby County Deputy Recorder serving for nine years. In 1970, she was elected Shelby County Recorder where she served for seventeen years. Donna was the first publicly elected woman official in Shelby County. She retired in 1986.

Donna enjoyed numerous activities. Cooking was one of her favorite endeavors, and Donna prepared items from every culinary area. Music and reading were particular loves of the Williams inspiring Donna to try her hand at poetry. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa.

Donna died on January 12, 2000 at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska having attained the age of seventy one years, ten months and eleven days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Elnora and Inez.

Survivors include her husband, Ted Williams of Harlan, Iowa; sisters, Viola and her husband Barney Stangl of Knoxville, Iowa and Naomi and her husband, Harold of East Moline, Illinois; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

How do I love thee?
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when following out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light
I love thee freely, as man strive for Bright;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
I my old grief, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God Choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning