Willms, Edward Johnson 1910 - 1972

WILLMS, GUNDERSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/2/2011 at 09:40:51

Edward J. Willms departed this life last Thursday evening, November 2, 1972, while in his car parked along Riverside Boulevard, Sioux City, Iowa. Death was caused by a heart illness. Mr. Willms was 61 years of age.

Edward Johnson Willms was born in Emden, Germany, November 18,1910. His parents were John and Oktje Willms. He was baptized in his native land during infancy. In 1911, he came With his parents and his brother, Frank, to America and lived first in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1917 the Willms family came to make their home in the Akron vicinity.

Mr. Willms was confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Akron, when Rev. Meske was pastor. A number of years later he affiliated with the Union Creek Lutheran Church and was a member here at the time of his death. He lived most of his life in this area, except for brief periods in Colorado and New Mexico. He learned farming from his parents and worked with them; later he worked on the railroad. He was quite proficient as a carpenter. At the time of his death, he was employed at Iowa Beef Processors in Dakota City, Nebraska, At a marriage service in Akron November 21,1959 he was united in marriage to Myrtle Gunderson of Hawarden, Iowa. Mrs. Willms preceded him in death September 26,1972. Mr. Willms lived in Jefferson, South Dakota, since July of this year. He worked long hours at his job in IBP and was well liked by all of his many friends.

Among those who survive his departure are his daughter, Mrs. Claudia Begnoche of Sioux City; his grandsons, Mark and Robert Small of Sioux City; his brother, Henry of Akron; his two sisters, Mrs. Jana Hebert of Sioux. City and Mrs. Otilda Heyl of Akron; his nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service in his memory was held at the Schroeder Funeral Chapel last Monday forenoon, with Pastor David J. Roy, officiating. Mrs. Orin Harris on the piano accompanied Mrs. Stuart Harris as she sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "How Great Thou Art". Eddie Beeck, Robert Dirks, Neil McLane, Robert Milner, Clayton Small and Randy Willms served as casket bearers. Interment was in the Union Creek Church Cemetery.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, November 9, 1972
Akron, Iowa