N Oneita Williams

Nettie Oneita Williams, age 101, of Lake Crystal, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Crystal, with Rev. Randal Lubbers officiating. Burial will be in Jerusalem Cemetery in rural Lake Crystal. Visitation will be from 2 " 4 p.m. on Sunday at Lake Crystal Mortuary, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Oneita was born on August 12, 1907 in Douds, IA. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Seward) Raines. Her family, including three brothers and three sisters, moved in 1910 to Minnesota by train, and settled on a farm in Ceresco Township on the Watonwan River. About 1916 they moved into Lake Crystal. She graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1925 and married John B. Williams on August 30, 1930. They lived in and around Lake Crystal. Oneita worked at her husband's cream and egg station in Lake Crystal and at Aemco Electric in Mankato. She worked at Brett's Department Store, and many remember her as the pretty little lady behind the Cosmetics Counter in the 1950's and 60's. After retiring she continued to work in cosmetics selling Vanda Beauty Products, making her last delivery at age 89. Oneita lived in her own home until age 97, when she moved to the Lake Crystal Health Care Center and the last few months at Crystal Seasons Assisted Living Facility in Lake Crystal. Oneita enjoyed people and socializing, senior bus trips, Vanda Conventions, AARP, and the Antique Club of Mankato, Brett's Gals, and the Presbyterian Women's Association. She was also a wonderful piano player and singer at three different churches and at home for her family.

Oneita is survived by her five children, Gloria Livingstone of Laguna Beach, CA, Robert (Carole) Williams of Mankato, Mary Jane (Richard) Goode of Rochester, John (Karen) Williams Jr. of Perham, and Donald L. Williams of Lake Crystal; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Oneita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 1985; two grandchildren, Dan Williams in 1999 and Jennifer Williams in 1976; great-grandson, Corey Robinson in 2000; two sisters, Susie Robinson and Bessie Gustafson; and three brothers, Clifford, Chet, and Wilson Raines.