Joan M. Williams

Joan Martha Williams, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Joan was born February 15, 1934, in Milo, Iowa to George and Martha (Marxen) Kirkpatrick. She graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1952. She loved the Iowa State Fair and would proudly claim, “Lee Township against the world!” Joan was married to Robert “Bob” Gene Williams on January 31, 1953, and they enjoyed 69 beautiful years together before his passing in 2022. A devoted Navy wife, Joan relocated with Bob to Paris Island Marine Corps Base, South Carolina, where he completed his service. They lived there for two years before coming back to Des Moines in 1956. She began working for Anderson Erickson Dairy and remained their faithful employee for 40 years, retiring in 1996. In retirement, Joan served as voter registration polling supervisor in Pleasant Hill.

In their retirement years, Joan and Bob were avid travelers, visiting all 50 states, with an Alaskan cruise and Maui Island trip as the highlights. They vacationed to Branson, MO several times a year. Joan loved camping and maintained that pastime for 20 years. Colorado ranked as one of her favorite places to camp, and nearer to home, they enjoyed Saylorville.

Joan was a dedicated family woman, hosting every family gathering. She would fulfil the role of hostess for both sides of her family – holiday dinners, birthday parties, and more – always at her home. She was an amazing baker and everyone loved her famous homemade apple pie. It was a family tradition that every Christmas everyone would gather to bake cookies together and enjoy each other’s company.

Joan was a strong, independent person. She raised her children and grandchildren, working full time. She was the person who was known to get things done! She was a tough cookie, all the way until the end. She doted on her grandchildren and would drop everything at a moment’s notice to be there for them. She loved attending their extracurricular activities and was always ready to celebrate a triumph or a win. An avid sports fan who loved any and all sports, she watching football and baseball for 60 years. She was an equal Iowa and Iowa State supporter and loved cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. The St. Louis Cardinals were her team and she was a die-hard fan. If you stopped by her house, sports were always on the television. Most recently, she loved the Caitlyn Clark hype!

She is survived by her daughters, Shonna Williams and Dawnette Brown; favorite son-in-law, Scott Brown; grandchildren, Hayley Naset, Hannah Miller (Patrick), Mallory Moore (Stephen), and Connor Brown; great-grandchildren, Landon Mack, Rory Mack, McKenna Miller, Baby Girl Miller, and Scarlett Moore; brother, Duane Kirkpatrick (Margaret); sister, Sharon Kirkpatrick; sister-in-law, Ina Williams; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Bob Williams; sister, LaVonne Parish; and her parents, George and Martha Kirkpatrick.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery after the services.

Contributions may be directed to Des Moines Fire Department Honor Guard, 1330 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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