Miss Wilma J. Couffer, the daughter of Rev. G. M. Couffer was born in Harlan, Iowa. While she was yet a young girl, her father entered the Methodist Ministry and for more than forty years she knew the intenerate life of a Methodist Parsonage. She made her home with her parents until they were called into that “Land of Eternal Life” where there are no more tears and sorrows are forever ended. Mr. and Mrs. Couffer passed away six years ago.

Mrs. Williams made her first acquaintance in Arlington, Nebr. when she came with her father who was appointed to this charge in 1899. Rev. Couffer was pastor two years and then received another appointment only to return again in 1902 at which time he remained for four years. In 1911 Mrs. Williams father retired and moved to Arlington, Nebraska to spend the declining years of his life. She remained with her parents, adding cheer with her smiles, making life happier by her acts of kindness and in every possible way, making it home for those who had made a home for her.

On September 19, 1927 she was united in Holy Matrimony to the Rev. Frank Williams. Rev. Williams had just completed his pastorate in Arlington, Nebraska and had been appointed that fall to the Benson M.E. Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Her life so far had been spent in thoughtfulness for others. It seemed as though the answer to the human instinct within her breast was about to be hers. But low, while the dew of Happiness was upon her cheek, the grim angel passed through the Valley of Death, and in the Hour that she least expected, called to rest the one about whom she had built such great hopes. They had been united in marriage but four months when this tragic episode in her life story occurred. It was the arrow of the hunter which pierced to her human spirit, making a wound which time could not heal. During the day her heart was filled with the dreams of what might have been and during the night when the veil of darkness had wrapped itself about her, she looked out into its blackness and saw the face of one she longed to be with. And like the bird with the broken pinion, her spirit never soared as high again, except as she thought of that day when in the land where life is Eternal and sorrow is not known, she would again be united with him who had so suddenly been snatched from her.

The first church in which Mr. Williams preached in this country was the church which he served at the time of his death. Rev. Atack was the pastor at the time and invited him to preach for him. It is also of interest to know that while Rev. Williams was very instrumental in the promoting of the building program of the Arlington church, it is his beloved wife who should first be brought to the altar of that church which he had dreamed of for the last holy rites to be paid. Mrs. William is the first one of the membership of the first Methodist Episcopal church to answer the Eternal Call and be buried from the church. She united with the Methodist church when but a very little girl. She has known nothing else in her life except the spirit of the Christ taught her by the servants of God. Having been reared in a Methodist Parsonage and being the wife of a Methodist preacher she knew what it means to build the (newspaper paragraph unreadable).

She leaves to mourn her going four sisters: Mrs. M.E. Walters, of Greely Colo.; Mrs. A.L. Hughes, David city, Nebr.; Mrs. W.A. Reckmeyer, Arlington, Nebr.; Mrs. A.T. Hutchinson, Norfolk, four nephews and three nieces, together with a host of friends which she had made through the years. She was kind in disposition, considerate of others, thoughtful of her acts, willing to service, glad to sacrifice, and spoke only the words which had been weighed in the scales of fairness and were kind.

She was laid to rest in the Arlington Cemetery following the services conducted from the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Arlington, Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon February 24m 1931, Rev. Adrian J. Edgar officiating.

#2 26 Feb., 1931 - The Enterprise

Mrs. Frank Williams, who had been spending the winter months with her sister, Mrs. A. T. Hutchinson in Norfolk, died there Saturday noon following a brief illness. The remains were brought to Arlington and funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the M. E. church, in charge of Rev. Adrian J. Edgar. Mrs. Williams was formerly Wilma Couffer, daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. G. M. Coufer and spent the greater part of her life in Arlington where she always took a prominent part in church activities.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #44759543