Ethel Johnson Williams, 93, of Hysham, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012.
She was born in Hardin, Montana on March 23, 1919, to Herman and Elida Pearson Johnson. She was named after a movie star of the time – Ethel Barrymore. She had five brothers. She graduated from Hysham High School in 1938 and worked in the local telephone office. In 1939 she married Joe Williams at Baker, Montana. Ethel became a homemaker and helpmate. She kept a garden that fed her family wholesome vegetables, had chickens in the back yard, and created a showcase yard that surrounded her home. She helped Joe with his business doing the bookkeeping, taxes, and reports – in short the paper end of it. She made sure her girls got piano lessons, sewed clothes for her family, and helped her kids and husband pursue their personal interests. Music, County Dances, 4-H Fair, Dress Review, Sewing, Cooking, Rodeo, Horses, Parades . . .
She loved working and playing outdoors. Her grandchildren will remember picnics in the pine hills with rock hunting forays. She collected and labeled everything. Ethel’s home is filled with photo albums, topical scrapbooks, and original written and illustrated histories of family members. Ethel was very interested in Treasure County history and got involved in writing the School History of Treasure County for the Bi-Centennial. Joe drove Ethel all over the county to locate old school sites to photograph and look for remains of the buildings and fixtures.
She was a member and officer of the Treasure Rider’s Saddle Club. She was very active in Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Ladies Association. She was the Church Financial Secretary for many years. She was never a 4-H Leader but worked with many kids. Ethel was very creative and supportive, but preferred anonymity.
She is survived by her brother Klemens Johnson of Billings, daughters Karen (Tom) Van Haele of Hysham, Gail (Steve) Hikel of Lewistown, and Elaine (Paul) O’Leary of Gold Creek, Montana, daughter-in-law Sharon Williams of Hysham, 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 52 years, son Larry Williams, brothers Albin, George, Leo, Allen, and Einar Johnson, and granddaughter Lori Metcalf
Visitation will be November 1, 2012 from 10:00 to 5:00 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home of Forsyth. There will also be a visitation Friday November 2, 2012 from 10:00 to 1:00 at the Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham. Funeral services will be at the Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham on Friday, November 2, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.
Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday November 1, 2012
Chapel of Stevenson & Sons of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Visitation
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Interment
Following Services
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Vale Memorial Cemetery
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday November 1, 2012
Chapel of Stevenson & Sons of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Visitation
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Interment
Following Services
Friday November 2, 2012
Hysham Vale Memorial Cemetery
Hysham, MT 59038
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Anita Mohler (maiden name Pemberton ) says
I was 10 years of age when I first met my Aunt Ethel,my mother Annalou Williams had just moved my two brothers Doug and Richard and my sister Nancy back to her hometown of Hysham, Montana .We had come from Denver Colorado so Hysham was a small, quiet little town in 1958 and we soon settled into our new life and to this day I remember everything about my Aunt”s home, times spent playing with Elaine and Gail and I always thought Karen was the most beautiful cousin ,I thought she looked like Elizabeth Taylor!I remember how Larry would tease us a lot and Aunt Ethel would make a tent by draping sheets across the clotheslines so we could “camp out” in the summer.I always remember that she was always doing for her family and she never spoke too much but she was kind to us.After we moved away from Hysham I kept up with her life through my mother who was Uncle Joe”s sisterI was sad to hear of her passing but I like to think that she lived a good life and I had always hoped to see her again.I plan to visit Hysham this summer and if possible I would hope to see and visit my cousins;,Sincerely Anita Mohler until then prayers and condolences to all
Anita Mohler (maiden name Pemberton ) says
I was 10 years of age when I first met my Aunt Ethel,my mother Annalou Williams had just moved my two brothers Doug and Richard and my sister Nancy back to her hometown of Hysham, Montana .We had come from Denver Colorado so Hysham was a small, quiet little town in 1958 and we soon settled into our new life and to this day I remember everything about my Aunt”s home, times spent playing with Elaine and Gail and I always thought Karen was the most beautiful cousin ,I thought she looked like Elizabeth Taylor!I remember how Larry would tease us a lot and Aunt Ethel would make a tent by draping sheets across the clotheslines so we could “camp out” in the summer.I always remember that she was always doing for her family and she never spoke too much but she was kind to us.After we moved away from Hysham I kept up with her life through my mother who was Uncle Joe”s sister and I was sad to hear of her passing but I like to think that she lived a good life and I had always hoped to see her again.I plan to visit Hysham this summer and if possible I would hope to see and visit my cousins;, until then prayers and condolences to all, prayers and condolences to all. Sincerely Anita Mohler