Lois Jane Wiliams

Lois Jane Knotz Williams, passed away surrounded by her family on December 24, 2021 at The Pauline unit at Regina Care Center in Hastings, after great care from the Hospice and Regina team. Jane, as she preferred to be called, was born on June 11, 1930 in Hastings, MN at St. Raphael's Hospital, to Bertha (Thomas) and Raymond Knotz. After she was born, there was a great scare that she may have gone missing. However, she was found in the arms of her 5 year old sister, Margaret taking charge of her new sister and sitting with her in one of the many window spaces. Jane attended Guardian Angels School in Hastings, graduating from the Hastings High School class of 1948 as the valedictorian, boasting an average 94.41 which was the highest ever attained in Hastings at that time. Jane went to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO, class of 1952. With her new degree in hand, she went on to teach History at Rawlins WY High School from 1952-1954. While there, a student introduced her to his brother, Glade Williams, who she married August 6, 1954. They went on to have five children, Jeffery, Judy, Donna, Todd, and Chris. Unfortunately, Chris passed away February 1969 at the age of six of heart failure. Their marriage ended in 1964 and Jane decided to move back home to Hastings with her children. Jane was a career woman, holding posts as a proofreader during her time in Rawlins, and at Norwest Bank when back in Hastings, at their iconic drive-thru, and at Dakota County District Count in the Probate Division, from 1986-1995. She proudly retired in 1995 and spent her new free time voyaging the world with her favorite traveling companion, her sister, Margaret. She enjoyed the simple and social elements of life in Hastings, like BINGO at the KC Hall and the Legion. She had a great sense of humor, loved to read and chat, and adored caring for her cats. During all her years in Hastings, she was a dedicated parishioner at Guardian Angels Church, serving as a Eucharist minster, participating on the parish council, and helping as a collection counter. Her religion and church community was a deep part of her life. Jane was preceded in death by her beloved son, Chris; her parents; brother in law, John Griffin; her great nephew; a step great granddaughter; and very recently by her sister and traveling companion on December 21,2021. She is survived by son, Jeff (Karol) of Prescott. WI; daughters, Judy of Hastings and Donna of New Richmond, WI; son, Todd (Linda) of Hager City WI; grandchildren, Brandy (Alice-Kate) Lamb of Portland, OR, Benjamin "Ben" (Kristina "Tia") Lamb of Hastings, Troy (Melissa) Blackstad of Hastings, Rachel Lamb (Casey) Harder of Hastings, Mathew "Matt" (Samantha) Williams of New Richmond WI; niece, Linda Griffin (Steven) Maggio of Green River WY and her daughter and son; 9 great grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 6 step great grandchildren; and cousins from the Knotz side. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St. in Hastings. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.