Published on October 2, 2025 1:58 pm
Last Updated on October 2, 2025 2:02 pm
Luanne Elizabeth Williams passed away peacefully on September 3rd, 2025, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital LTC wing in Olney, IL, in the company of her family.
She was born on October 31, 1930, in Waverly, Iowa, the only child of Donald W. and Lurena E. Woodruff. According to family legend, she was almost born in the hospital elevator. In Iowa, Luanne attended Lincoln Elementary School in Decorah, Washington Junior High School in Dubuque, and Cedar Falls High School. She graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in Home Economics Education. After college, Luanne taught at a junior high school in LeGrand, IA, then took a traveling job as a Home Economist for International Harvester Co in Dubuque, IA, demonstrating and selling freezers. Luanne met the love of her life, James Linder Williams, while working at one of these events, and they were married in Dubuque on April 17, 1954. After 58 years of marriage, Jim preceded Luanne in death on September 10, 2013. After marriage, Luanne’s career turned to raising a family, and she had a deep love for and devotion to her family. The couple was blessed with four children, all about two years apart in age. She loved being a mother, then a grandmother and great-grandmother. During Luanne’s adult life she lived in Monmouth, IL, Warsaw, South Bend, and Mishawaka in Indiana, Naugatuck, CT, Detroit, MI, Olney, IL, Pella, IA, and finally back to Olney to be close to her most favorite daughter Lynne. Her only daughter amongst us four. Luanne and her husband attended several churches during their lives, and were particularly fond of
the only Methodist Church they helped establish and build as charter members in Pella, IA. While living in Pella, she was a devoted member of this church and appreciated the friendships she gained there. While living there she was also a member of the United Methodist Women, several Bridge groups, and belonged to the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Group and Fifth Wheel Group. She was a member of the Pella Garden Club for several years, enjoying the flowers and especially the tulips during the annual Tulip Time. After taking classes, she was a Master Gardener in Pella.
Throughout her life Luanne enjoyed being active and working with her hands. She loved cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, counted cross stitch, making candles, decorating the house for most holidays, flower gardening, and other arts & crafts. She liked playing cards and board games (she could be very competitive) and collecting recipes for future meals. At a young age she learned to play the piano and loved playing her piano for many years of her life.
Luanne was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
She is survived by and missed dearly by her four loving children: Son Scott Williams of Byron, IL; son Gregory Williams, Colonel USAF(Retired) of Destin, FL, his two children Tera (Jason) Kehl (great- grandchildren Kylie, Kinslie, and Carter), and daughter Lauren King (Cesar Dominguez); son Brian (Feri) Williams, their two children Christopher (Halie) Williams, (great- grandchildren Tycho, Tennyson and Octavia), and Jonathan Williams; and daughter Lynne Welker with her three children, son Joshua (Claire) Welker, (greatgrandchildren Alice, Wyatt and Jackson), her son Matthew Welker, (great- grandchildren Colette and Lincoln), and her daughter Leah (Tony) Guither (great – granddaughter due in November).
Luanne lived many happy years in Pella until her health forced her into a return move to Olney to be near her daughter as she slowly declined into first assisted living, then nursing home care.
Cremation rites accorded. Luanne will be laid to rest next to her husband at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, IA.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Garden Chapel Funeral Home of Pella, IA. Meyer Funeral Home of Olney, IL assisted with local arrangements.