JACKIE S. (BAKER) WILLIAMS

Jackie Sue (Baker) Williams, one of two daughters of Carl and Janet Lee (Storant) Baker, was born February 8, 1958, at Falls City, Nebraska. Jackie grew up in rural southeast Nebraska, she was baptized, attended Sunday School, and sang in the choir at the Nemaha Christian Church. Jackie attended school in Stella, graduating with the class of 1976 from Southeast Consolidated Schools.

Jackie loved the outdoors. As a child that meant showing calves at the county fair, racing up a dirt road on a motorcycle, or riding her horse Prince Leo Star at full speed through the field.

After high school she earned her associates degree from Peru State College, but more importantly her Bobcat years introduced her to Keith “Sunshine” Williams from Belle Glade, Florida, who became the love of her life. They married in 1977 and built their life together on the Peru bottom where they were blessed with three children.

Jackie was part of the Peru Area Ladies (PAL) group that supported community activities, and she was awarded “Woman of the Year” in 2000. She also received the PSC Barb Lewellen Award in 2002 for her outstanding work in service toward students of the college.

Jackie worked as a secretary at ACI then later at Peru State where she formed life-long friendships and her escapades continued.

Jackie was never judgmental, always giving others the benefit of the doubt. Her faith was ever present, but it deepened during Keith’s battle with pancreatic cancer. As her health failed, she placed her trust in God and felt at peace with whatever the future held. She died on June 14, 2022, at the University Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha following complications from her heart transplant. She was grateful to the donor’s family for this gift and encouraged others to become donors. Jackie will be missed by so many. While her earthly heart is gone, her loving heart lives on in the lives of those she touched.

Those left to mourn her passing include her sons Justin Williams (Jackie Jensen), Nathan (Ashley) Williams; daughter Jennifer Smithpeter; grandchildren Samantha Chaney, Brent and Ty Smithpeter, Madalyn, Laynie, and Keith Williams; sister Cindy (Matt) Kreifels; her beloved Florida family and friends; other relatives and many, many friends.

A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Nate Powell, was held Monday, June 18, 2022, at the Auburn Christian Church.