BOONE, Iowa—Joan E. Williams, 91, of Story City and formerly of Boone, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Bethany Life in Story City.
Joan was born on December 13, 1933, in Radcliffe, the daughter of Oscar and Elizabeth (Tjernagel) Braland. She attended country school near Ellsworth and then Randall High School.
Joan was united in marriage to Lyle M. Williams on October 27, 1952, in Bethany, MO. They lived in several towns in central Iowa, before settling in Boone in 1967.
Joan and Lyle wintered in south Texas for a number of years and also South Carolina, near their daughter.
Joan was a homemaker and worked many various jobs over the years. She was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church, an avid Hawkeye fan, enjoyed country music, camping, crocheting, sewing, and playing cards with family and friends, attending stockcar races and traveling by motorcycle. Joan loved watching all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 41 years, Lyle M. Williams; two daughters-in-law, Donna M. Williams and Mindy A. Williams; son-in-law, Leslie Ahrens; three brothers, Mervin Braland, William Braland, and Arnie Braland; two sisters, Alice Scales and Lois Luther.
Joan is survived by her four children, Lyle Junior Williams of Boone, Wayne Williams of Story City, Pam Ahrens of Pickens, South Carolina, and Liz (Brent) Pevestorf of Webster City; eight grandchildren, Jenny (Wilf) Wilson, Casey (Eric) McReynolds, Jamie (Steve) Vize, Carson (Lindsay) Williams, Dustin (Emily) Ahrens, Haley Ahrens, Ashley (Ben) Lorenzen and Jessica (Curtis) Johnson; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Janet (Arlo) Richardson of Huxley; and sister-in-law, Glenda Braland of Story City.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at Augustana Lutheran Church, 309 South Greene Street, Boone, with Rev. Robin Coughennower officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Joan’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.

Joan Williams, 91, formerly Boone, Iowa
