Loretta Williams

Loretta Evelyn Kangas was born November 10, 1938 in Alexandria, MN, the daughter of Henry and Stella (Heikkinen) Kangas. She was raised and schooled in Moe Township, MN. Following her high school graduation in 1957 Lori attended St. Cloud State University where she earned her degree in Education in 1960. Lori was united in marriage to Lester Williams on July 22, 1960 in Clara City, MN. The couple made their home in Rosemount, MN where they were blessed with two children, Lee and Lona. Lori taught at Silver Lake, MN for two years and one year in West St. Paul. She also taught at Dakota County Technical College for thirteen years before retiring from teaching. From 1992 to 1995 Lester and Lori lived on the Williams family farm at Raymond, MN. From Raymond they moved to the Oscar Lake area near Kensington, MN where they lived until 2006. In 2006 the couple moved to Lake Adley at Parkers Prairie, MN. Lori was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria and was active in the church women?s group. She was a member of the Teacher?s Union. Lori enjoyed fishing and teaching. She also enjoyed bicycling with Lester. Lori traveled throughout the United States and Europe. Often she traveled from one coast to the other visiting her children and her grandchildren. She was very proud of them. Lori was a person who loved living life fully and was full of life herself. The smile on face, freely offered was an expression of her life. On Sunday, September 6, 2009 Lori died peacefully at the age of seventy years. Her parents and one infant sister, Phyllis, preceded her in death. Lori is survived by her husband, Lester Williams of Parkers Prairie; one son Lee Williams and wife, Carla, of Wilmington, DE; one daughter, Lona Williams and husband, David O?Connor, of Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren, Lucy and Angus O?Connor; four brothers, Phillip Kangas and wife, Rosie, of Kensington, Jack Kangas and wife, Josie, of Kensington, Clare Kangas of Moe Township and Marvin Kangas and wife, Dorothy, of Brandon, MN; two sisters, Lucille Elliott of Reno Township, MN and Jean Root and husband, Gordon, of Aitkin, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria. Reverend Scott Keehn officiated. Margaret Kalina provided music. Interment followed in the Parkers Prairie Cemetery. Casket bearers included Dennis DeJong, Calvin Slagter, Harold Williams, Marvin Kangas, Gordon Elliott and Roger Rognli. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.