Wilma "Sis" Williams, 103, Minot died Monday, June 21, 2010 in a Minot nursing home.

Wilma was born on April 27, 1907 in Stanbury, MO, to Nathaniel and Mary Etta (Farr) Demaree. As a child, Wilma moved with her parents to ND and was raised on a farm in Tolgen Township of Ward County, south of Des Lacs. She attended rural schools in that area. Wilma married Lyle Rakness on August 5, 1925 in Minot and to this union was born a daughter Gene Ardis and a son Lyle Jr. The family moved to Minot in 1936. Wilma and Lyle were later divorced. Wilma married Austin Williams on April 11, 1945. They made their home in Minot where she was employed at B & B Drug and Sears as a department manager for twenty-seven years until her mandatory retirement in 1972. Austin died on August 18, 1978.

Wilma was a member of First Presbyterian Church - Minot and the United Presbyterian Women. She loved to cook, crochet, make afghans and organize card parties.

There are not enough words to express what grandma Sis meant to us. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered as a very special person, mother, grandma and friend.

Survivors left with loving memories are one son: Lyle Jr. (Pat) Rakness of Minot; stepsons: Darrell (Janet) Williams of Vancouver WA and Jack (Claudia) Williams of Blusston SC; stepdaughter: Ruth (Merrill) Hammer of Vancouver WA; grandchildren: Jerome (Laurel) Rakness, Duane (Donna) Rakness, Colleen LaFontaine, Shanda (Bruce) Aman, Bruce (Marianne) Schmit, Kelly (Michael) Hill, Eric (Lynette) Schmit, and Michael (Julie) Schmit; stepgrandchildren: Nancy (Dick) Melin, Jeanene Armitage, Brian (Angela) Williams, Kent Williams, Guy Williams, Gail Williams, Darren Williams, Doug (Caryn) Williams, JoLane Buss, and Julie (Paul) Manley; twenty-three great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as a special niece, June, who cared for Wilma for many years.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Austin; daughter: Gene Schmit; seven sisters: Edna Williams, Lola Clark, Josie Jordahl, Belle Johnson, Doris Rolison, Gail Gaub, Nathalia "Nace" Daoust; four Brothers: Nathaniel "Thannie" Demaree; James Herbert "Hub" Demaree; Rexford "Rex" Demaree and Morris Demaree; stepdaughter: Myra Rudig; stepsons: Donald and Robert Williams and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service: Monday, June 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Minot;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park;
Visitation: Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.