Anna Marie Williams
March 18, 2011
Anna Marie Williams, age 20 of Carlisle, went home to be with the Lord Friday March 18th, 2011.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2011, at Willow Creek Baptist Church, 720 Army Post Rd., West Des Moines, IA. A service will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the church.
Anna Marie Williams went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 18th, enroute to support the UNI Women’s basketball team with the UNI pep band for the NCAA tournament. Anna loved life, her family, friends, and her joy was contagious to those around her. She loved singing with her sisters and cousins, playing her trombone, and pounding on her drums. She was always game for any sport and was determined to win. Anna loved her Lord and was strong in her faith, ready to share Jesus with anyone. She was a graduate of Carlisle High School and was enrolled at UNI studying psychology. “Anna Banana” was very loyal to her teams including the Carlisle Wildcats, UNI Panthers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
She is survived by her parents, Karl and Kristy Williams; siblings, Jessica, Becca, and Jacob; Grandparents Vonda Lee Williams of Colfax and George and Mary Lou Close of Des Moines; Aunts and Uncles, Kevin (BJ) Williams of Gladbrook, Vana (Monty) Beals of Colfax, Pam Close of Columbia, Mo., Linda (Jim) Mason, Dianne (Tony) Merrill of Des Moines; Cousins, Shannon Williams, Seth (wife, Kristen and daughter, Sydney) Williams, Sean (Heidi) Williams, Danae and Danielle Beals, Jason (Julie) Mason, Blake Arney, Tiffany Merrill and two more on the way.
Anna was preceded in death by her Grandparents: Joanne Close, Walter Williams, and Cousin Matthew Mason.
On-line condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Teresa Baumgartner
03/21/2011
Hello. Our UNI (daughter) sophmore, Anna Baumgartner, is Erin's roommate. I've grieved with Erin. Our Anna went to church with your Anna. Tears are just rolling down as I've read accident reports/obituary. My heart's been heavy/been praying for you all/Erin & others affected! There are no words to communicate this grief. The only words I told my friend were...glad your Anna is a believer in Christ. I just had to tell you of my grieving with Erin & you all, because we are parents of 3 teens. Our Anna told me that she's making plans to be able to travel to the funeral tomorrow. I don't know what else to say.....; I'm praying.
Hugs from me/us......to each of you!
Love,
Teresa Baumgartner
(Mom of UNI-Anna Baumgartner)
The Bixlers (David, Sindi, Becca, Jacob & Tanner
03/21/2011
The broken cord
We little knew that morning that God
Was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone;
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide;
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same;
But as God calls us, one by one,
The Chain will link again.
Author unknown
Our hearts are heavy as we share in your loss and as we uphold you all continually in prayer. Words seem hardly enough. Praying that God will provide daily strength, comfort and wisdom in the minutes, hours and days ahead. That the joys and memories you share with Anna will help sustain you during your time of need. It's just hard to pray without the tears flowing freely. However, the Lord our God understands when our hearts are heavy and we are unable to utter words of prayer, he hears our hearts. Praying that God be bring healing to your hearts and fill you all with his love. Knowing how difficult losing Anna is, how much she's loved and missed, just gets the tears flowing again. So, in honor of Anna and her passion for the Lord and life, we celebrate her life with you.
In Love & Prayers,
The Bixler Family
Kim Grell
03/21/2011
Dear Kristy,
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. Just wanted you to know your co-workers are thinking of you.
Sincerely,
Kim
Sue Mooers
03/21/2011
Karl, Kristy and Family. I was so shocked to hear of Anna's passing. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Anna was a very special young lady and will be missed by so many. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to let me know. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Amy Nicholson
03/21/2011
I hope that hearing from someone you do not know is not offensive to you.
I became aware of your daughters death through my son who is a UNI student, and a friend of Travis Wards.
I hope that during this time of immense grief that you remember to take care of yourselves. If you cannot do that, please let someone else take care of you! God is with you, and will help you through this. My heart is heavy as I look at Anna's picture and tears come to my eyes. What a beautiful young lady who had so much going for her.
Wee lost a daughter in a very different way at the age of 15, 3 1/2 years ago. My heart is still heavy. There is nothing like losing a child. Prayers are and will be said for your strength, comfort, patience, and health for quite some time. Remember that strength means being willing to ask for help from others.
Be patient with one another - you will grieve at different times in different ways. Sometimes it is hard to understand where others are at in the process.
God be with you today and all days.
Amy
Tom Icatar
03/21/2011
Words can fail us at times like this. May your many good memories enable you to cope with this sad loss. The thoughts and prayers of your friends at work are with you at this time.
Tami and Kilie Anderson
03/21/2011
My heart aches for you. My daughter Kilie was one of her first roommates at uni. I know my she was blessed to have known your Anna. I pray for you and your family constantly. Stay strong in the Lord!
Linda Drees
03/21/2011
Our families have never met; however, my daughter Allison became friends with Jessica while studying abroad in Wales. I am so sorry for your loss. Anna sounds like a wonderful young lady. I'm glad she was strong in her faith because we can be assured she is safe in Jesus' arms.
Kelsie Adams
03/21/2011
My deepest sympathies are with your family in this time of need and grieving. I did not know Anna on a personal level but I was in the Panther Marching Band with Anna. I would see her around frequently and she would almost always have a wonderful smile on her face. She was a devoted band memeber, friend, and student. Although I did not have the pleasure of having long, entertaining conversations with her, I know she was a wonderful young women who loved life to its fullest and that was felt and share with all those around her. She is and will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she graced with her presence and by many others on campus. I may not have been right next to her, but her smile could bring a smile to your face.
She is in a much better place now and I know the good Lord is taking care of this wonderful soul. We miss you Anna. We will meet again some day.
Leah Seltun
03/21/2011
To the family of Anna Marie Williams,
I am so very saddened by your loss, even though I did not know her well. I too go to UNI and I am a graduate student in speech pathology and that is how I heard. I pray that you will be so warmed and comforted by the Lord and knowing she is with her Savior. She brought joy to the world and was a living testimony of Jesus and all his good ways. Even though it is hard to let go, and your pain is so raw, know that she did what she was called to do on earth....being Jesus with skin on. I pray that you will lean on one another and find comfort in Him during this hard time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Leah Seltun
David and Marianne Wharff
03/21/2011
Our deepest sympathy to Karl, Kristy and the rest of the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Paige Holtan
03/21/2011
My condolences for Anna's family and friends.
Even though I didn't know Anna on a very personal basis, I was blessed to get to march with her in the Panther Marching Band for a couple of years. I could always tell she was enjoying her time and making the most of life as she always seemed to have a smile and a positive attitude. I regret not getting to know her more for who she was but what I do remember from seeing her around is motivation to live a life much like hers by making an impact in many peoples lives.
Thank you Anna for being who you are. You will always be family with the Panther Marching Band.
~Paige H.
Sara (Leib) Hughes
03/21/2011
Karl & Kristy & family,
There are no words that seem to be right. Please know that we've been praying for you since we heard about the accident on Friday morning. I remember the beautiful little girls that would come visit Karl at work in the 1025 building. Then, I got to see what wonderful young women they became as Jessica and Anna graduated from Carlisle with my nephews, Trevor and Brandon Polito. May God continue to hold you all close and help you through the next days and weeks.
Sara (Leib) Hughes
Barbara Perry
03/20/2011
I am a friend and prayer partner of Marilyn and Larry Mason. My heart is heavy with your grief. However, Marilyn said that Anna was a believer, so we know that she is rejoicing in victory even though you are missing her. The saddest day of your life was the happiest day of hers. Please know that many people here in Marshalltown are praying that you feel God's arms wrapped tightly around you. Lean on Him when you feel you cannot go another step and He will sustain you. I am so sorry for pain that you feel.
Judi Pfantz, MMSC Medical Social Worker
03/20/2011
I know our meeting was short and I was not did not express the sadness I felt for your loss of Anna. I can see what a beautiful girl and sounds like a very liked by manay. I wanted you to know that though our meeting was not under the best of circumstances, I was not able to express my feelings as I needed to remain professional, but I assure you my heart was aching for your family and Anna. Your loss effected me close to home as my onw daughter is 24. I also live a short distance from where the accident occurred. I want you to know that as parents the two of you made a lasting empression on both Shannon and I and you weighed heavy on our minds and hearts. Though it is not likely we will ever meet again, please know that day will be forever imprinted in our mind and in our lives. Both Shannon and I wish you and your family strength and I know Anna will watch over you until you meet again. What at wonderful like she must have had and so lucky to have a great family. Anna affected people she will never meet. We wish you strength. Our deepest sympathy Shannon Lander and Judi Pfantz