Willi Ware
February 17, 2010
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Service Details
Willa May Frette “Willi” Ware died from cancer on Wednesday afternoon, February 17, 2010. She was born December 15, 1927 in Buffalo Center, Iowa to Ole J. and Martha Frette. She graduated from North High School in 1945 and Electronics Radio and Television School in Omaha in 1946. Willi married Gerald Ware on September 21, 1946, and they had 2 children, Marty and Janis. Willi was a “supermom” long before the media coined the term and was like a mother to many, many others.
Her early advertising and public relations career years included Wesley Day & Co., Advertising Director for United Federal Savings & Loan and freelance work. In 1967, she opened Willi Ware & Associates becoming the first woman in the midwest to open her own advertising agency. Many years later, she merged with CMF&Z where she was a vice president and account supervisor before retiring in 1991. Willi was a pioneer for women in advertising and a mentor to so many.
Willi was a member and past president of Advertising Professionals of Des Moines since 1954; honored as Des Moines Ad Woman of the Year and 9th District Ad Woman of the Year; co-founder of both the Iowa Chapter of AWRT and Women’s Reciprocity of Des Moines; and served for 9 years on the Board of Trustees of the Civic Center of Des Moines.
Willi is survived by her husband, Gerald; daughters, Martha (Mike) Ohrt and Janis (Doug Leonard) Ware; grandchildren, Jason (Janet) Ohrt, Timothy Cole and Kaitlin Cole; great-grandchild Logan Ohrt; daughter, Sharon McLaughlin and her children, Holly, John and Martha; granddaughter, Jamie Hutchison and her daughter Brooklyn; sister Florence Frette; and nieces Linda Kenworthy and Pam Cochran (deceased).
Memorial contributions may be made to Valley View Village Health Center, 2571 Guthrie Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317 or Iowa Hospice, 5650 NW Johnston Dr., Suite E, Johnston, IA 50131.
Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, with visitation on Friday, February 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the funeral service on Saturday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Resthaven.
Condolences may be made at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.
Nancy Roll
03/30/2010
Gary-
You were my neighbors and friends. I am so sad to hear of Willi's passing.
I always enjoyed seeing the two of you. I feel blessed to have known you both.
Love and blessings to you at this time.
Nancy
lisa howard kenworthy
02/23/2010
Gerald, I am so sorry for your loss. i didn't know that Willi had gotten sick again. I want you to know that the reason I wasn't there was because Mom has end stage COPD and on Friday they didn't think she would make it through the night. I have been with her since and in true Leona style she is still fighting. I felt terrible about not eing there for you and your family. My love and prayers are with you. Willi was an amazing woman. Always one of my favorites.
Terry McCormick
02/22/2010
Gary, Marti and Janis,
I was very sorry to hear that Willi passed away. I know my Mom and
Dad,(Cappy and Toodie) are thinking of her. She was always so
positive. Your memories of her will always be in your heart.
Terry McCormick
James Sufficool
02/20/2010
Gary and girls
Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Sincerely
Jim & Doris Sufficool
Gary: Do you remeber the old WWII navy flyer's saying:
"ANY LANDING YOU CAN WALK AWAY FROM IS A GOOD ONE"
So Gary start walking!!!!
Jerry Pottorff
02/20/2010
Gary, Marty, Janis and all family members,
I was so sorry to learn that Willi had passed away. We worked together for several years at CMF&Z and had a lot of great times. She definitely was an icon in Des Moines advertising circles. Say the name Willi Ware and everyone knew who you were talking about. I know she will be remembered for many years to come for all of her contributions.
My condolences to all of the family members. I hope there is some comfort in knowing that Willi lived life well and full.
Jerry Pottorff
Adele Goldstin
02/19/2010
To Gerald and Family,
I did not know Willi personally, but I know Marty, and through her, I feel like I know your family. I would like to express my condolences on the loss of Willi to you and this world, but rejoice in knowing she is with our Beloved Savior, breathing "celestial air". I pray for a celebration of her amazing life, for the peace of God that supasses all understanding, and hearts that are lifted up to Him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
Love,
Adele Goldstin
Melissa Danilson Bice
02/19/2010
I had the honor of working with Willi when she was a Persons Served at On With Life. I found her to be a beautiful woman both inside and out. She was determined, intelligent, caring, funny, and a pure joy to work with. Willi was the exact kind of patient that made my job as a Physical Therapist worth while. I enjoyed working with her. She was one of those people after you met you carried her memory with you for the rest of your life. A beautiful soul!
God Bless You during this difficult time!
Melissa Danilson Bice, PT
Trygve Gunnar Bjelland Henriksen
02/19/2010
Dear Gerald, Marty and Janis with family!
We were deeply saddened to hear that Willa May has passed away. We knew that she was seriously ill, but it ran very fast. We can imagine how difficult this must be for you. You are all in our thoughts.
Otherwise we can really understand the supermom associations. My grandma, Gudrun (Willa Mays aunt), visited Iowa for a month in 1984 and then she learned Willa May better to know. She described her as a fantastic, hospitable, warm and skilful person. Ten years later Willa May and Gerald visited Norway and then more of her Norwegian family had the possibility and pleasure to be better known with her and Gerald. We had an unforgettable and great time together. We are very thankful for all the attention she gave to us here in Norway.
We wished we could attend the visitation Friday and the funeral Saturday, but we will be there in our mind.
Well, you all have our deepest sympathy.
Our love,
Willa Mays Norwegian family:
Aud with family, Odd with family, Herborg with family, Lillemor and Harald with family, Trygve and Solgunn, Sigurd and Sigrid and Trygve Gunnar.
Julia Mc Gowan Torstenson
02/19/2010
Dear Willi,
You were my mentor in business and you gave me balance as we watched my Mother decline. I am so glad you were a part of my life.
I will never forget the first time we met....you were a driving force in the Des Moines advertising world fighting to keep women in the lead...or at least at the table! You loved a worthy challenge and took the lead for all who could just follow.
You will be greatly missed although your spirit will live in my heart forever.
May God give your family the strength to go on without you.
Best regards,
Julia
sally walrod vedda
02/19/2010
Gary & family, so sorry to hear about Willie. So so many great memories from our high school years. Peace be with you. Sally Walrod Berrier Vedda.
Nancy Hays
02/19/2010
Marty, prayers for your family and for those who loved and will miss your Mom.
Debi and Jean (Laws) and Family
02/19/2010
Gary,marty,Jason,and Janis ( and families) So sorry for your loss we are thinkig of you. All our condolences, Debi,Jean, and families
Cheryl TanCreti
02/18/2010
Gary,
Heaven now has another BEAUTIFUL Angel watching over all of us.
She was one of a kind....
I thank you for taking care of her with so much love.
May God Bless you and your family.
Cheryl TanCreti
Marc harding
02/19/2010
Jerry----my condolences to you and your family. We've missed you at Quiet Birdmen. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Willi will be missed. Marc Harding
Kay & Ray Denkhoff
02/19/2010
Dearest Gary and girls ... we are with you in spirit and heart ... how we would love to be there with you. May God bless and comfort you at this sad time. Our love, K&R