Virginia Williams

Virginia Pauline Williams, 94, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2015, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center in Atlantic, Iowa.

She was born April 21, 1921, in Cass County, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Reta (Earl) Henke. Virginia grew up in the Cass County area and attended Atlantic High School through the tenth grade. She had to leave high school to help her family. Virginia worked for many businesses in the area a few years at a time over the years.

Virginia was married to Carl Peterson and two children were born to that union, Sandra and Dennis. That marriage ended shortly after both children were born and a few years later she met and married Alfred G. Williams. Alfred passed away in 1969 and Virginia then went to work for the Cass County Memorial Hospital. She spent five years in the housekeeping department then fifteen years as a purchasing agent until her retirement from the hospital.

She enjoyed quilting with her friend Vera, playing bingo and going to the casinos. She was a great cook and everyone loved her noodles and Christmas rolls. Virginia's greatest joy of all was her grandkids. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she loved attending their sporting event activities.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Sandra and husband, Jerry Rhoads of Atlantic, IA; her son, Dennis and wife, Patty Williams of Lehigh Acres, FL; her grandchildren, Scott Rhoads of Atlantic, IA, Todd Rhoads of Lititz, PA, Corey (Deb) Rhoads of Grimes, IA, Dena Begley (special friend Stacey Hursh) of Pflugerville, TX, Traci (Tommy) Redding and Tammy (Jo) Drechel all of Lehigh Acres, FL; great-grandchildren, Alec, Natalie and Brigham Rhoads all of Lititz, PA, Caleb and Chloe Rhoads both of Grimes, IA, Jennifer Williams and Cindy Blackwelder and Bryce and Tony Redding all of Lehigh Acres, FL; her sister-in-law, Barbara Henke of Fair Oaks, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred G. Williams; her parents, Walter and Reta Henke; her siblings, Betty (Nels) Brown, Delbert Henke, Norman (Ruth) Henke and Lois (Dale) Ecklin; her nephews, Gary Brown, Mark Brown and David Henke; and her granddaughter-in-law, Angie Rhoads.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Monday, August 24, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Memorial graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa. A time for refreshments and fellowship will be held at First Baptist Church in Atlantic following the graveside service.