Mary K. Williams

Marie Catherine Barnett Williams, known as Mary K., 93, of Gettysburg, died at her home Monday, March 30, 2015.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Father Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial of the cremains will be held at a later date. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall with ice cream and oreos served in her honor.

Born Oct. 6, 1921 to George Richard and Ruth Theresa (Bauch) Barnett in Sioux Falls, SD, Mary K. was the third of 10 children born to the Barnett family. She was raised in Sioux Falls where she graduated with honors from Cathedral High School in 1939. She was Prefect of the Sodality her senior year and was involved in numerous activities, including music, theatre, and cheerleading. She attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN on an academic scholarship until her marriage to Terrence M. Williams, her neighbor from Sioux Falls, on Feb. 5, 1942.

Her husband left to serve as a P38 fighter pilot in World War II, and Mary K. was at home with their baby, Terry Jr. At the war’s end in 1945 they moved to Gettysburg and later made their home on the family farm south of town. There they raised five boys and, in later years, two daughters. 

Mary K. was active in her community as a den mother for the Boy Scouts, a Girl Scout leader, and was the Girl Scout Neighborhood Chairman. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she directed the choir for many years. Throughout the years she was a member of the Women’s Literary Society, Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and Mother’s Club. She played the part of Mrs. Santa at community events, was Mardi Gras Queen in 1969, and was the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. She earned her Golden Eaglet in Girl Scouts, and was honored with numerous community accolades. 

She loved singing, made amazing whole-wheat bread, and thought costumes were a great way to liven a party.

Survivors include her sons Terrence M. (Judy) of Rapid City, Michael (Ann) of Lemmon, Bruce (Peggy) of Gettysburg, Richard “Bill” (Emily) of Aberdeen, Jay (Carol) of Yankton, and daughters Kara of Taos, NM, and Molly (Harry McRoberts) of Gettysburg; 27 grandchildren; a gaggle of great-grandchildren; brothers Dr. Lou (Maggie) Barnett and Don (Marilyn) Barnett of Sioux Falls; sisters-in-law Kay Barnett of Terre Haute, IN, and Liz Williams Bogue of Rapid City, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998, her brother Richard in infancy, her sister Sheila at age two, her brothers Bob and Jack, sisters Barb, Patricia, and Jane, and grandson Dan. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gettysburg Hospital Auxiliary, 606 E Garfield, Gettysburg, SD 57442 or Gettysburg Community Foundation, PO Box 33, Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Mary K.'s arrangements.