English Funeral Chapels & Crematory - Memorial & Guest Registry

Theophila Williams

Vigil service will be 7:00 P.M. Monday May 21, 2007 at the English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday May 22, 2007 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery.

Theophila (Theo) Williams passed away peacefully May 17, 2007 in Coeur d'Alene , Idaho at the age of 92. Theo was born to Dionysius and Armelia (Ternes) Braun on the family farm near Strasburg , North Dakota on January 31, 1915 . She spoke only German until she moved into town at age 6 to board with the nuns and attend Catholic School.

The work on the farm with her three brothers and three sisters shaped her character along with a deep faith in God. Her family moved to Coeur d' Alene in the 1930's after losing the farm during the Great Dust Bowl. The older children all worked to help support the family. It was while working at the Rosebud Confectionary in midtown that Theo caught the eye of the owner, C.B. (Bun) William . They married on Feb. 5, 1940 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Theo was a devoted wife and mother and raised four children in their "little brown house" where she lived, independently, until her recent hospitalization.

Theo also worked at the North Shore Convention Center for 12 years, during which she was promoted to Manager. It was one of her proudest accomplishments. She be came a superb organizer and used those skills for volunteer work after her retirement doing hundreds of weddings, funerals, bazaars, teas, dinners, and yard sales with her dear women friends from St. Thomas Catholic Church and the VFW Auxiliary.

Theo was the last surviving charter member and a past regent of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Daughters. In 1990 she was named the Idaho Catholic Daughter of the Year,

one of her most cherished honors. She also was very proud of her recent 60 year membership award received from the VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include sons Fred (Linda) Williams of Camano Island, WA, Gary (Donna) Williams, and Pat Williams, all of Coeur d' Alene; grandchildren Robert, Garrett, Brian and Clinton Williams, Vickie Randall, and Molly Shepard; and great-grandchildren Briana and Shannon Williams, Ashlyn and Hannah Shepard, Jordan and Ashley Randall, and Camilla Theophila Williams; sister Hilda Devaney, brother Mike Braun, Uncle Otto Braun and Aunt Katie Ternes. She was preceded in death by husband, Bun, beloved daughter and best friend, Theo Ann, sisters Isabell and Rose, and brothers Mustie and Earhart.

Theo was a stalwart of faith in God and his Saints and a consummate believers in the power of prayer. There is not enough space here to give her life justice. Suffice, it to say that her deep love for her family and an abiding faith in God made her life a shining example of a life well lived.

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Name: Doris Griffith Russo
City: O'Fallon
State: MO
Country: USA
Email: jtrusso@centurytel.net
Date: 5/20/07

Aunt Theo was the funniest person I've ever known. Being in the same room with her was always fun. Just the way she said things or her mannerisms made you laugh. She was a wonderful cook and made the best cinnamon rolls on earth. I was lucky to spend a good part of a summer with her family and visited often when I lived in Oregon. Those were the some of the best times of my life. She was truely one of the most perfect people I've ever known. She was always getting something ready to help someone else whether it was food, or clothing, or something for the church or neighbors or friends.
She was so thankful for the little things in life. I sent her a card a few years back and she called me to thank me for the "beautiful card".
I called her one day when she got new glasses and she was so excited to be able to see things in her kitchen but decided that now she was going to have to clean because before the glasses she didn't see all the dirt. To me her house was always spotless even when all the kids were still home.
She was a joy to be around and will be missed by those that knew and loved her.
I'll miss not being with you tomorrow to hear all of the "Aunt Theo" stories. She was really one of God's best creations.

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Name: Sr. Mary Rassley, IHM
City: Scranton
State: PA
Country: USA
Email: mrassley@yahoo.com
Date: 5-20-07

My sympathy to Theo's family. She was a great friend of my Mother, Katharine Rassley. I got to know Theo on my visits home and especially during the six years I was in Coeur d'Alene to care for my Mother. Theo was the main person behind all the Parish dinners. I remember her also for her sense of humor. When Bun (also known for his humor)was alive they were always in the front of St. Thomas for daily Mass. Theo continued this practice after his passing.

My prayers that God will comfort upi in your great loss.

Sr. Mary Rassley, IHM

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Name: Barb Denney
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: ID
Date: 05/20/07

I met Theo when I started attending St. Thomas Catholic. She was a fun and loving lady and will be missed by all. Bless you Theo.

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Name: Ron Koep
City: Spokane Valley
State: Wa.
Country: usa
Email: rbkoep@peoplepc.com
Date: 052007

Fred, Gary, and Pat. I have many memories of your mother when I was a regular at your home on Garden.
She was a real saint for putting up with me being there
so often. If there is anything I can do, please ask.

Ron Koep

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Name: Roselle (Devaney) Potts
City: Oregon City
State: OR
Date: 5/21/07

Aunt Theo was my favorite aunt. She could always make me laugh. Whenever mom and Theo would visit they'd pull an all nighter out in the kitchen laughing and telling stories. Mom told me one time when we were visiting that her and Theo sat talking all night in the kitchen in pajamas and then come morning just changed their clothes. No one knew they'd never gone to bed.

She was a very special person.

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Name: Jim Conrow and Kathy Perez
City: Coeur d' Alene
State: Idaho
Country: usa
Date: 5/21/2007

Our mothers were great friends and shared a lot of laughs together working as the "church ladies". She will be greatly missed by all of us that shared her life.
God bless you all.

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Name: Bill Kapaun
City: Albany
State: OR
Email: bkapaun@hotmail.com
Date: 5/23/07

Fred, Gary, and Pat-
I'd like to express my sincerest condolences on your mothers passing.
I'm sure she's with a lot of her friends.

Bill

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Name: Kathy LaTourrette
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Email: latourrette@hagadone.com
Date: 5-23-07

I enjoyed working with Theo every day at the North Shore and she made us all laugh a lot. My wedding reception was really special because of her hard work. I enjoyed visiting her over the years and will miss her good sense of humor. Kathy

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Name: Sister Barbara DuMont IHM
City: Scranton
State: PA
Country: USA
Email: dumontb@sistersofihm.org
Date: May 23,2007

My sincere sympathy to all of the family. You may not remember me but I was the "young" Theo Ann's teacher back in the early sixties and was very much aware of your lovely family. Now they are together praying for each of us.

My love, prayer and sympathy,

Sister Barbara

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Name: Helen Henderson Elder
City: Coeur d' Alene
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Email: hleld@aol.com
Date: 05-28-07

Dear Family and Friends of Mrs. Williams
Theo's faith in God was apparant to us all throughout her life by her good example. I attended the IHM academy with her daughter Theo. I always knew that Mrs. Williams would have a kind smile and a good word.
I feel blessed to have know both Theo's and know that they in the palm of God's hands taking care of us here on earth.
Helen Henderson Elder