Candace "Cookie" Lee Williams, age 77, of Dundas, a beacon of love and faith, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Mill City Senior Living in Faribault.
Born on January 22, 1947, in Northfield, to Richard and Marlys (Benham) Rice, Cookie's early life was steeped in the values of family and community, shaping her into the remarkable woman remembered today. She grew up in Northfield, where she graduated from Northfield High School in 1965. Her career path took her from waitressing to banking, but her most cherished role was serving as a para professional in Northfield Schools for 12 years. Known for her unwavering dedication, she retired in 2003, having made a lasting impact on the lives of countless children. Cookie loved to see kids learn and succeed in life.
In 1967, Cookie married Roger Williams. Together, they built a life of love and hard work in rural Dundas, where they were blessed with over 57 years of shared memories. A devoted mother to her son, Chris, and devoted wife to her husband, Roger, she filled their home with kindness and warmth. As a military wife and mother, Cookie supported Roger and Chris throughout their combined 58 years of service in the MN National Guard. She was a huge contributor to the military support group during Chris’s deployment in Iraq. Cookie was so proud of them both, as well as her brother, Rick (Marines) and brother-in-law, Gary (Vietnam).
Cookie's sincerity and generosity were cornerstones of her life, exemplified by her active involvement at Little Prairie United Methodist Church. Her leadership in arranging funeral lunches was just one of the many ways she expressed her care for others. Cookie was a part of the ladies aid, bible study, Sunday school teacher, meal coordinator, and coordinator of other activities in the church. She was very proud of her devotion to the church.
As a homemaker, when times were tough, she learned to sew clothes for herself and her family. That creative attitude led her to quilting. Cookie learned this from the pioneer ladies at Little Prairie UMC and she continued with a passion to help younger women learn the skill of quilting. She strived to make every quilt as perfect as she could. Cookie would always say “This one is close, but it’s not perfect yet.” She was interviewed about quilting and that interview was recorded and submitted to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to preserve the art of quilting in America’s history.
When Roger and Cookie were fully retired, they traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. Cookie said that the world has such beautiful places and you cannot describe it, you have to see it to appreciate it. A guiding light in her family and community, Cookie's loving nature, kindness, and faith-filled heart were her greatest gifts to the world. Her smile and bubbly attitude will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
She is survived by her husband, Roger; son, Chris of Faribault; brother, Ray of Northfield; and sisters, Shelly of Prescott, WI and Dolly of Holly Hill, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Roger “Bill” and Hazel; sister, Lila Winter; and brother, Rick Rice.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Little Prairie United Methodist Church, Dundas. Visitation will be from 2-5 PM, Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
