Obituary of Alverta M. Williams

Alverta Maude Williams, age 101, passed away on September 11, 2019, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Friday, September 20, 2019, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where visitation will begin at 10 am.  Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.  Memorials may be made in Alverta’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church in Tiffin or to the Tiffin Fire Department/First Responders.  To share a thought, memory, or condolence with her family please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Alverta was born January 5, 1918, in Johnson County, Iowa, daughter of Walter B Shaffer and Edith M Roberts Shaffer.  She married Lloyd E. Williams, May 24, 29142.  Following Lloyd’s service in WWII they began a dental practice in Mason City, Iowa. 

Alverta then became an active army officer’s wife with her husband’s re-enlistment in the army.  She liked to entertain, serving fine meals and she directed the religious education on the various bases where stationed.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1963.  After spending several years in post-war Japan, they moved to Verdun, Frances where Alverta taught English in the high school.

While stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, she received her Master of Religious Education degree from the Christian Theological Seminary in 1971 and received an award for “superior academic achievement”.

Upon retirement, they settled in Tiffin and she became an active member and supporter of Grace United Methodist Church.  Alverta was a member of the Jasmine Chapter #135 Order of the Eastern Star.  She was known as “Auntie” to many and specialized in wonderful angel food birthday cakes.  She loved driving her car and going out to eat for breakfast.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Theola Rarick, Lynn Colony, Steve Woods, Helen Caldwell, Robert Shaffer, Deborah McIntire, Becky Schlotterbeck, KathyJo Shaffer, Mary Alice Sidvyic, Gary Shaffer, Dwayne Shaffer, Jean Whyte, Doug Shaffer, Jeff Shaffer, Deanne Lindaman, Jeanette Shaffer, Karla Moreland, Dennis Shaffer, Shelly Tiedtke, Ellen Schau, Karen Dinnel, Keevin Shaffer, and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law: Doris Shaffer, Betty Shaffer, Donna McConaughy.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers and sister: Wayne Shaffer, Veva Colony, Walter Shaffer, Mervin Shaffer, Robert Shaffer, Paul Shaffer and Delmar Shaffer and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Russell Colony, Orville Woods, Marcene Woods, Doris Shaffer, Grace Shaffer, and Sallie Shaffer.