Iris Rosemarie Williams

On a beautiful Easter afternoon, Sunday, April 21, 2019, the heavenly gates opened and welcomed Iris Rosemarie Williams 62, of Manhattan, KS, into the loving arms of her Savior. Iris was born in Würzburg, Germany, on July 12, 1956, the beloved daughter of Angela Geb (Imhof) and Josef Karl Pasternak, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated from Schönbornerhof High School and went on to Friedrich Dessauer College, both in Aschaffenburg, Germany, to study jewelry design. On May 6, 1985, two hearts became one when she married the love of her life, John Richard Williams, in Oklahoma City, OK. Iris and John moved to Manhattan, KS, in 1990 where Iris worked at Kansas State University as a research assistant and later for The Eye Doctors for many years. She proudly became a United States citizen on March 28, 2014. Iris and John enjoyed over 33 years of loving marriage and friendship along with their precious dog and light of Iris’ life, Sophie. Iris had a special place in her heart for animals (especially dogs) and children; and they loved her in return. She was fondly referred to as The Dog Lady because she knew every dog in the neighborhood by name. She was known to buy rocks from neighborhood children who picked them from Iris’ own yard and wrapped them for her. Those may have been the best dollars ever spent. She loved the outdoors, often taking pictures of the most ordinary things because she saw beauty everywhere. She had an amazing green thumb and could breathe life into even the most stubborn plant. She attended various churches over her lifetime, but her heart resided with Pilgrim Baptist Church. Iris is survived by her adoring husband, John; her two daughters, Korina and Nina Myers of Saint Helens, OR; dear brothers André and Boris Pasternak of Germany; stepson, Kenneth Williams of Davenport, FL; four grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends around the world. Family will receive friends on Monday, April 29, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS. A celebration of a life well lived will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 831 Yuma Street, Manhattan, KS, with Pastor Anthony Williams officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS. Mourners may return to Pilgrim Baptist Church after the graveside service to share a delicious meal and fond memories of Iris. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Johnson Cancer Research Center, Kansas State University, 1 Chalmers Hall, 1711 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66506-3901, and left in care of the funeral home.