Loretta May Williams, 95 years old, of Fennimore, Wisconsin, and Marysville, California, passed away, Thursday, October 26, 2023, in the comfort of her own home, with her loving daughters at her side.

Loretta was born on January 23, 1928, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Born to Alfred and Helen Kunz. She grew up in Fennimore where her family owned and operated the Fairview Cheese Factory.

Loretta recounted stories of her early life, working in a hospital and nursery in Dodgeville. Loretta enjoyed music and would go with her dear friend Rosie to dances. Adventurous Loretta went with girlfriends on tour of Washington, DC. Entered a beauty contest on a dare while attending a fair; understandably, she won.

While living in Platteville, she helped support her sister Fran so she could attend college. Loretta worked for a dentist as an assistant, bookkeeper, and provided child care for his four daughters (he thought that was a lot of girls!). Unknowingly, she was building skills that would serve her well as a mother of her own seven.

Her sister Fran's boyfriend Mike set up the transformative blind date for Loretta. It was then that Bob Williams became enamored with the big brown eyes of Loretta Kunz. Shortly thereafter, she married Bob on December 26, 1957, in Platteville at a Mass officiated by her brother, Rev. Fr. Alfred Kunz.

Loretta moved to California with Bob in 1958 after he accepted a job from Caltrans. First Fresno, where she started her lifetime career of homemaker and mother, giving birth to Belinda and Donna. Then moved to Bakersfield, had Kathy, Patricia, and Paula. Finally settled in Marysville, she had her last two daughters, Mary and Tracy.

Loretta was room mother for all her girls at Notre Dame School and assisted with the education of all her girls. Loretta was extremely proud that each of her daughters had earned college degrees.

Loretta was an accomplished baker. Her sour cream coffee cake is legendary. She continued to feed people and serve others in her nineties by helping her daughter provide Lenten soup suppers.

Loretta was a lifetime member of the CDA, serving as their Regent while raising her young family.

Loretta was a skilled bowler, in the couples league and the women's league.

Loretta was a long time 4-H leader and taught her own children and other families to sew and bake.

Loretta participated with her daughters in their church choir. She remained an active participant in the Mass by singing hymns alongside her family. Loretta and Bob instilled the importance of family and the Catholic faith as well as a love of learning and the importance of completing their education.

Loretta remained active, traveling with her daughters. She celebrated many grandchildren's graduations and weddings, and great-grandchildren's baptisms. She often visited her friend, Christine, bonding over the old days.

Her family will remember Loretta as a doting and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Even in these last weeks, she played peek-a-boo, clapping and singing with the children. Loretta was the glue that bonded her family and will be dearly remembered and missed.

Loretta is preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Williams; her daughter, Donna Neuerburg; and by her siblings, Benedict Kunz, Teresa Seffrood, Martin Kunz, Helen Niesen, Rev. Fr. Alfred Kunz, and Frances Schmidley.

She is survived by her daughters, Belinda (Gordon) Wulke, Katherine (Chip) Guthrie, Patricia (Michael) Scott, Paula (Conrad) Jenssen, Mary (Stephen) Garrett, and Tracy (Tim) Williams; son-in-law, Kent Neuerburg; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and her beloved brother, John Kunz; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Lipp and Sullivan, 629 D Street, Marysville. The Funeral Vigil and Rosary will commence immediately following the Thursday visitation.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be officiated on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 7th and C Streets, Marysville, followed by interment at Sutter Cemetery in Sutter, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southeastern Foundation, SLU 10703, Hammond, LA, 70402, dedicated to "The Donna Neuerburg Endowed Scholarship," in honor of Loretta's daughter Donna, or to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, checks payable to CDA Court 640, mailed to Attention: CDA, 223 8th Street, Marysville, CA, 95901.