Katie Williams, 87, passed away Sept. 12, 2009, surrounded by her family at her son’s home in Walla Walla.
Katie was born Jan. 25, 1922, in Hague, N.D., to Wendlin and Christina Scherr. She attended elementary school in Zealand, N.D., with her Aunt Maggie for two years and the remainder of her schooling was done in Napoleon, N.D. She moved out west in March of 1942 and worked in the Navy ship yard for one year. She was a seamstress for many years, providing custom tailoring for department stores. She made sailor uniforms until 1950. She married Gene Williams on Feb. 19, 1944 in Bremerton. They moved to Whidbey Island and managed Kahn Brothers Uniform Store until 1958 and then worked for McCullough Store and retired in 1983.
She enjoyed crafts and built many quilts and table runners for family and friends. She made quilts and receiving blankets for Catholic Charities. Katie was an avid walker after her retirement in 1983. She would often walk in excess of three to five miles daily.
She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle at the Senior Center. She was the eldest of 14 children. Katie had a love for children and enjoyed being with family. She was an Oak Harbor resident for 49 years. Katie was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church until she moved to the Walla Walla Valley in 1999 where she was a member of Assumption Church.
Katie is survived by her son, Robert and wife, Deanna Williams of Walla Walla; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeanie Eckert of Bismarck, N.D., Irene and husband Claude Krebs of Sapulpa, Okla., Maggie and husband Gary Bonnett, of Streeter, N.D., Betty and husband Robert Walth of Bismarck, Christina Mutchler of Des Moines, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph and wife, Pauline Scherr of Napoleon, N.D., Alvin and wife Lois Scherr of Napoleon, N.D., Joe and wife Dianne Scherr of Valley City, N.D., Wendy Scherr of Bismarck, and Pius and wife Dephine Scherr of Valley City, N.D.; grandson, Travis Williams of Las Vegas, Nev.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Houston Eugene “Gene” Williams; sister, Mary Droust; brothers, George Scherr and Albinas “Beanie” Scherr; sisters-in-law, Lois Scherr and Marlis Scherr; brothers-in-law, Casper Eckert and Jim Droust; and grandson, Shannon Williams.
A recitation of the Rosary was held Sept. 17 at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, with Father Tim Hays of Assumption Catholic Church, officiating.
Viewing and visitation was held the same day.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor, with Father Jerry Kinzie, Celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Williams Family Trust c/o Blue Mountain Community Foundation, FBO Walla Walla Catholic Schools, or DeSales Maintenance Fund or the Christian Aid Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 West Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
