Vernis Jean Williams

Vernis Jean Williams, 94, of Waterloo, died Sunday, October 19, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital. She was born July 17, 1931, in Kevisville, Alberta, Canada, daughter of Hugo and Jessie (Gaskins) Berghaus. She lived on a farm in Canada raising livestock (horses and cows) until the age of 15. She was a 1950 graduate of Waterloo West High School and was very proud to earn her US citizenship in 1955.

Vernis married George Kenneth “Kenny” Williams on May 4, 1962, in Dyersburg, TN; he preceded her in death on November 1, 2000. Work was a part of life for Vernis. She worked at numerous places including managing an auction house, painting houses, a grocery store and drug store, and retired as a marketing specialist for Dominos Pizza in 2002 after 10 years. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, as well as the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.

She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, gardening, reading and haggling at garage sales. She was active on Facebook where she loved following her Chevalier kids, and she always had the good gossip. Vernis had a huge capacity for love, and in her words “taking in stray humans.” She was a fan of the Cubs, Iowa Hawkeye football, and Caitlin Clark basketball.

Vernis is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Jerry) Eckelhoff of Fort Smith, AR; sister Joyce Ross of Pocahontas, AR; son in law Rick Reuter of Evansdale; seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kenny; a son John Anthony Williams and his wife Linda, a daughter Margaret Reuter, three brothers: Melvin, Darrell, and Alvin “Jack” Berghaus; two sisters: Phyllis Lufkin and Loretta Brown; and a great-grandson, Anthony Scott Williams.

A funeral service will take place 10:30 AM Friday, October 24, 2025, at Locke Garden View Chapel, 3655 Logan Ave, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church