Virginia A. Williams

 Virginia A. Williams, age 73, of Lancaster, died on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 8, 1935, in Cassville Township, the daughter of Lawrence and Lila (Kirschbaum) Wiest. She graduated from  Cassville  High School in 1953. On February 2, 1960,  Virginia was united in marriage to Donald E. Williams at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville. Together the couple farmed in the Cassville and Fennimore areas. In 1972, they moved to South  Lancaster Township, where they farmed for many years. In 1990, they moved to  Lancaster.  Virginia was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens.

Survivors include her husband, Donald, Lancaster; three children: Laura Williams, Madison; Mike (Sarah) Williams, Stitzer; Tina (Mark) Lorenz, Janesville; four grandchildren: Wesley and Jordan Williams, Mitchell and Ellie Lorenz; one sister, Bernilda Britt, Dubuque, IA; three brothers, Julius (Lois) Wiest, Dennis (Peggy) Wiest, Gary (Julie Dean) Wiest, all of Cassville; brother-in-law, Merlin Bartels, Belmont; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

In addition to her parents,  Virginia was preceded in death by one brother, Morris Wiest; two sisters, Marena Buschbom and Geraldine Bartels.

Funeral services were held on  Monday, February 23, 2009, at  10:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Sunday, February 22, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. until  5:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in  Lancaster. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Virginia A. Williams memorial fund was established.