Bessie McWilliams

ANKENY, IOWA: Bessie Ellen McWilliams (age 90) passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025.

Bessie (Bess) McWilliams was born on August 4, 1935, to Agnes and Irvin Amenson. She grew up in Roland, Iowa, with her two brothers, Argyl and Harry. Bess went to Roland High School and was proud to be a Rocket.

In 1966, Bess was introduced to Jack McWilliams by his sister, Colleen Cederholm. It was a whirlwind romance, and they married in April. The lovely families were blended, and the large McWilliams Clan began with children Jack, Steve, Kay, Cheri, and Dan. Bess and Jack were married for 59 years.

Bess’s first job was washing dishes at the Rocket Cafe, where her mom worked as a baker.
After the kids were all in school, Bess went to work for the Saydel School District as a teacher’s assistant and later as an associate school librarian at Cornell Elementary.

Bess and husband Jack enjoyed life at their cabin in Lake Panorama and later as snowbirds in Arizona. They were members of a classic car club, Motor Iowa, and shared a love of car shows. They made many life-long friends in the car club and enjoyed their morning coffee gatherings at McDonald’s.

Bess loved to sew. She shared her love of sewing by being in her church’s quilting club and later becoming the local “Betsy Ross”; if there was a ripped or torn flag, she would ask the owner if she could repair it.

The McWilliams’ home was filled with sweetness thanks to Bess. She was an excellent baker and cook. She canned and froze so much food that the family was ready for any emergency. The downstairs freezer was always so full that the family joked that Jimmy Hoffa was buried underneath it all. Bess could sew anything, including matching outfits for Kay and Cheri. She loved her garden, fruit trees, and birds. God was the foundation of the family, and Bess made sure that all the children were baptized and confirmed. Bess was a gentle spirit and rarely got upset. She could, however, silence an argument or put someone in his place with the Norwegian-dimpled stare.

Left to mourn Bess are her brother, Harry Amenson, and husband, Jack McWilliams; Bess’s children: Jack (Jane) McWilliams, Steve (Joan) McWilliams, Kay (Jon) Woods, Cheri (Ross) Sorensen, and daughter-in-law Robin McWilliams; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Bess also leaves behind many other family members and friends whom she loved greatly.

Bess was preceded in death by her parents, Agnes and Irvin Amenson; her brother, Argyl Amenson; her son, Dan McWilliams; and many in-laws, family members, and friends.

The family would like to thank the Copperwood Memory Care Unit and the Mercy Hospice Team for their outstanding care and compassion for Bess.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/ in loving memory of Bess McWilliams.

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