Everista Mary 'Evie' Williams, 94, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully Wednesday July 6, 2016, at Living Center West. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 15, 2016, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday July 14, 2016, with a rosary at 3:30 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Those left to cherish Evie's memory are her eight children, Mary Lou (Michael) Vavroch of Elberon, Joseph Williams of Cedar Rapids, William (LaRae) Williams of Glendale, Arizona, Theresa (Harry) Roberts of Marion, Carol (Mike) Sacora of Cedar Rapids, Kathy (Tom) Carfrae of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Mary) Williams of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mark (Karri) Williams of Orion, Illinois.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura (Dave) Lambrecht, Leslie (Jeff Wenk) Bileth, Jon (Teri) Rstom, Jake (Marshel) Williams, Jason (Brandy) Williams, Jamie (Raul) Vargas, Jennifer (David) West, Wendy Roberts, Gena (Shawn) Steele, Dan (Brandy) Zimmerman, Rachel and Brett Zimmerman, Nick (Holly) Carfrae, Abbey (Matt) Swenson, Taylor (Brittany) Williams, Morgan Williams, Madison (Laura Whitney) Williams, Stratton Williams and Kiley Williams; step-grandchildren, Olivia (Dan Squires) Vavroch, Ryan (Allison) Vavroch, Mick and Kaitlyn Exbom, Josh Sacora and Jen (Tom Blank) Sacora; 32 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Nehl and Mary Ann Bollman; and sister-in-law, Jean Hyke.
Evie was born in Lourdes, Iowa on August 23, 1921, to Adolph and Mildred Marik Hyke. She was named after her father's favorite teacher, Sister Mary Everista. On May 21, 1946, Evie was united in marriage to William W. Williams at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, Iowa. He preceded her in death on June 27, 1963, leaving Evie a widow at the age of 41 with eight children ages three to sixteen.
Evie enjoyed working in her garden, attending sports events of her children, embroidering, all TV sports and playing cards with her grandchildren. In her earlier years she enjoyed working at St. Matthew's School.
Evie was a devout Roman Catholic, often walking to daily Mass. She had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the rosary and to St. Therese' of the Little Flower and was always overjoyed when she saw the sign of the promised roses.
She had a special way of making everyone feel like they were her favorite! In more recent years she lost her eyesight and hearing and although confined to a wheelchair, she never complained, the rosary beads just moved faster in her frail hands.
Evie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, two sisters and a grandson, Michael Joseph Williams.
A very special thank you to our brother, Joe. He became head of the family at age 14 at dad's passing and Mom's caretaker in later years. In recent years, Joe became Mom's ears and eyes caring for her with unfailing devotion.
Thank you to everyone at Living Center West for the wonderful care and love they gave our Mom.
We love you so much Mom ' you were ALWAYS the' wind beneath our wings'.
In the words of Emerson, “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded” .
You have succeeded – many lives were made better because of you – and you will be missed dearly.
Sending my love and prayers to all.
Love, Jenny
Blessed to have known this great woman for 25 years. Living in the image of the Blessed Mother, she changed more lives than even she knew — always a humble servant of the Lord. Luke 1:46 shows Mary, our Blessed Mother, exclaiming that that ” my soul magnifies the Lord. ” and there may be no scripture more true of my Grandma Williams. My memories of her will last my lifetime and include the best cookies I have ever eaten, the card games, and my self-awarded record for largest card house in Grandma’s home, which sprawled from her dining room table, down her dining room chairs, onto her dining room floor and across the entirety of her living room floor all the way to the front door. I am at peace knowing that this soul who lived to serve and make all of our lives so much better is now at peace. We love you so much and you will be missed by all. — Jeramie
️Beautifully written Jeramie❤️
Everista was such a kind and caring lady. I know she will be missed by many.
Sympathies, thoughts and prayers to her family.
Joe so sorry to hear about your mother,she’s in a better place now.You were up there everyday caring for your mom,now is the time for you to remember the good times and enjoy your life.God Bless
Just wanted you to no that I am thinking About you Carol so sorry to hear about your mom spending prayer’s. Jenene