Obituary: Elberta "Birdie" Williams

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In memory of

Elberta "Birdie" Williams

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 10, 2006 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 87

Elberta J. "Birdie" Knapp was born June 6, 1919, the fourth of seven children born to Joseph and Mary Opal (Drey) Knapp, at their home south of Wall, South Dakota. She had her formal schooling in the North Star Country School, three miles from home, graduating from the eighth grade.

Birdie was united in marriage to Percy "Bud" Williams on October 29, 1937 in Rapid City. They started their life together in an old school house about five miles south of Wall. Later they moved back to Bud’s childhood home place until 1941 when they moved to the Doc Cowan Ranch west of Cottonwood. In 1947, they bought a ranch south of Philip where they have lived the past fifty-nine years, remaining loving partners in all of life until the day she died.

This October Bud and Birdie would have been married sixty-nine years.

Birdie lived her entire life in the country helping with the many tasks on the ranch, keeping a spotless home, being a devoted caregiver to all who needed her and a hostess beyond compare. All were welcome in her home and no one left hungry.

She learned how to sew from her mother and was an avid seamstress making some of her own dresses and western shirts for her sons for years and years.

She loved going to dances on Saturday nights enjoying square dancing for years.

Birdie was a loving wife, devoted mother and a cookie baking, game playing, ever-listening grandma always looking forward to seeing her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was also a highly respected and adored aunt.

Leaving behind to always love her, cherish her, and to keep her memory alive are her husband Percy "Bud" Williams of Philip; two sons DeLayne Williams and his wife Carlyn of Philip, and Rocky Williams and his wife Rebecca of Philip; five grandchildren Melody Eisenbraun and her husband Scot of Wall, Travis Williams and his fiance Alexis of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Joshua, Jonathan, and Lacy Williams of Rapid City; five great-grandchildren Tyrel, Taran, and Tate Eisenbraun, Tannan Groen, and Shayna Williams; two sisters Thelma Marchetta of Philip, and Evelyn Williams and her husband Lynn of Wall; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Birdie was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers George, Darrell, and Yuvonne Knapp, and one sister Zita Lafond.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 14, at the Evangelical Free Church in Philip, with Pastor Gary Wahl and Pastor Sonja Wilcox officiating.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

A memorial is established to fund cancer research.

Funeral Services
Monday, August 14, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

Clergy
Pastor Gary Wahl
Pastor Sonja Wilcox

Ushers
Jim Moriarity-Veryl Prokop

Music
Pastor Sonja Wilcox
"Wings Of A Dove"
"Supper Time"
"I’ll Fly Away"

Pallbearers
Don Moody-Terry Pinney
Kelly Riggins-Glen Bennett
Buster Peterson-Karl Schulz

Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

"Mother’s Hands"

Such beautiful, beautiful, hands,
They’re neither white nor small,
And you, I know, would scarcely think
That they were fair at all.

I’ve looked on hands whose form and hue
A sculptor’s dream might be,
Yet are these aged wrinkled hands
Most beautiful to me.

Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
Though heart were weary and sad
These patient hands kept toiling on
That the children might be glad.

I almost weep when looking back
To childhood’s distant day!
I think how these hands rested not
When mine were at their play.

But, oh! Beyond this shadow lands,
Where all is bright and fair;
I know full well these dear old hands
Will palms of victory bear;

Where crystal streams, through endless years
Flow over golden sands,
And where the old are young again,
I’ll clasp my mother’s hands.

-Ellen M.H. Gates

Funeral Services
Monday, August 14, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Bud, Rocky and family:
I stopped at Philip Yesterday and heard of Birdie's death. I just wanted to express heart felt sympathy and pray that God's blessings are upon you to give you strength and encouragement for
the living of each day and the facing of each hour. I know that
you have great spiritual leadership in your family and that will
help you as you move forward in life.
God Bless You
Pastor Don ~ Pastor Don Lagge PO Box 128, Stickney, SD 57375 (8/10/2006)
I'm very sorry about your mom. One of my favorite verses Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted. My heart weeps for your family. May God wrap his arms around you as you walk through this deep valley. Our love and prayers are with you at this time. ~ Debbie Hansen P.O. Box 331, Philip, SD 57567 (8/10/2006)
Tannan and I are very sorry to hear of Grandma's passing. He enjoyed coming out to the Ranch to spend time with Grandpa Bud and Grandma Birdie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all right now. Tannan sends lots of hugs and kisses to everyone. ~ Melanie and Tannan Groen 380 80th Ave., Chandler, MN 56122 (8/10/2006)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult time. ~ Mark & Lynn Seifert 1775 Degeest Dr., Rapid City, SD 57703 (8/10/2006)
Mary has many fond memories of her cousin, during her teenage years when she used to spend her summers out in the Wall area. We will miss her at the family reunions that we have in the Hills. We shall remember her with great fondness and our thoughts and prayers go out to Bud and the family. ~ John & Mary Moreland & Family / Fred Knapp & Family 301 E. 9th St., West Frankfort, IL 62896 (8/10/2006)
We are so sorry to hear of Birdie's passing. Each memory of her were always happy ones. Birdie had a heart of gold and it showed through her family. She was the corner stone of your family so strong and full of life. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow and always know that there are people out there welling to lend a hand in what ever you all might need. We love you all very much. ~ Michelle, Travis Brenner and Terri Craven 27 Madison St., Apt 1, Rapid City, SD 57701 (8/10/2006)
I have many great memories and will miss Aunt Birdie. ~ Barbara and Elwin Rivenburg 19 Van Tassel Ln., Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (8/10/2006)
I was saddened to hear of Aunt Birdie's passing last night. My thoughts are with the everyone. She will be missed very much. ~ Tammy Prokop 7899 Garland Lane N., Maple Grove, MN 55311 (8/10/2006)
So sorry to read of the loss of your mother and grandmother. What a blessing that her suffering was brief. It sure isn't easy to let them go but we just have to know she is in a better place free of her pain and suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. ~ Tom and Jane Aasby Rapid City, SD (8/10/2006)
To the family of Birdie Williams. We were deeply saddened to hear of our friend and close neighbor, Birdie's passing this morning. We will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together. We will miss her very much. God bless you all. ~ Don and Vi (Lampert) Moody 24134 SD Hwy. 73, Philip, SD 57567 (8/10/2006)