Palma C. Williams

Palma Christine Williams, 94, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Altoona Nursing & Rehabilitation Center where she had been a resident for three months.

Palma was born on a farm near Exira, Iowa on August 29, 1919, the daughter of Niels and Kjerstina (Olsen) Madsen. She was educated, along with her five sisters, in a one room school house. Schooling was often interrupted by work on the farm, especially during corn-picking season. Palma later received her G.E.D.

Palma remained on the farm helping and caring for her parents until the death of her father. In 1963, she and her mother moved to Des Moines and joined Grace Lutheran Church. Palma was united in marriage to Burl Williams in 1973 at the Little Brown Church. He passed away three years later. Palma worked in housekeeping for many years and lived on her own until May of 2013.

In addition to her husband, Burl, Palma was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Edith Long, Anna Sorensen, Lillie Nielsen, Edna Miller, and Vina Ritter, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her long-time care taker and niece, Beatrice Sandquist and many other nieces and nephews; Bea’s children, Bobby (Bridget) Sandquist, Rick (Annette) Sandquist, Doug (Shelly) Sandquist, and Joleen (Brian) Roskamp. She is also survived by Bobby’s children, Jordan and Bowen, Rick’s children, Kristina Moore, Ashley Wilkerson, Amy Thompson, and Ricky, Doug’s children, Blake, Tony and Lexa, and Joleen’s children, Riley, Baylee and Kelsey, as well as other loving relatives and many special friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Grace Lutheran Church, 3010 52nd St. in Urbandale, with burial to follow at McDivitt Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit with family one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or the Animal Rescue League in loving memory of Palma.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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