Kara Lynn Williams

Kara Lynn Williams, born February 9, 1977, passed away on September 23, 2026. Funeral services for Kara will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Union Park Methodist. The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 5-7 pm at Petersons Funeral Home in Carlisle, IA.

She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose greatest joy was her family.

Kara is the daughter of Paul and Lynn Bailey. She grew up with her brother, Jonathan Bailey on a farm near Pleasantville. Kara loved being outside, taking walks with her Mom, and caring for her pets, especially her kitties. Kara always had a creative and artistic side that she expressed through various forms.

Kara graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1995 and went on to Simpson College where she graduated in 1999 with a degree in Psychology and Social Work. It was at Simpson where she met the love of her life, Jonathan Williams. The two were married on August 16, 2003, at the chapel on the campus of Simpson College.

Together, Jon and Kara built a beautiful family and she made all of his hopes and dreams come true. They started their life together in Norwalk, where they welcomed their first blessing Luke. They moved their new family to Carlisle when Luke was 18 months old. It was at that home they were blessed with two more children, daughter Alayna, and son Cade. Kara was a devoted mother to Luke, Alayna, and Cade, and her family was at the center of her world.

Kara treasured the opportunity to watch her children grow and pursue the things they loved. She listened and nurtured their hopes and dreams with patience and compassion. She could always be found in the stands cheering for Luke and Cade at their baseball games or supporting Alayna at her soccer games. Kara loved to sit in the building at home and watch her boys hit in the batting cage with a dog at her feet. Most recently, she was proud to watch Alayna begin her freshman year as a member of the Simpson College Women's Soccer team. Kara was Jon's biggest fan. She was the foundation and catalyst of everything he has ever accomplished, proudly supporting him through his professional career and cheering him on whenever he took the field as a coach for the kids and a player in his hobby.

Kara cared deeply about people, especially people with special needs and children. Her compassion and kindness were evident in the way she treated others, and in the work she chose to do. She dedicated her working years to helping and caring for others, including her work with people with special needs at Progress Industries, The Homestead and Lutheran Services of Iowa, and her work with children at Wee Wisdom Preschool, Carlisle School District and Sprouts Early Learning Academy in Carlisle.

Kara found joy in the simple things that made a house a home. Everyone had everything they needed when she was there. She loved reading, gardening, spending time outdoors, animals (especially sheep and goats), and traveling with Jon and the kids. Kara loved going to the library and bringing home multiple books to read at once. She especially enjoyed garage sales and finding “treasures” to bring home. She loved to whistle to whatever tune came to mind and if it was offkey, all the better. She created traditions and memories her family will carry with them for years to come.

Kara will be remembered for the love she gave so freely to her family and friends. Her greatest happiness was being together with the people she loved—whether gathered around the family table, cheering from the sidelines, enjoying the outdoors, or simply sharing everyday moments. Her love, laughter, kindness, and devotion to her family will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Kara is survived by her husband, Jon Williams; her children, Luke Williams, Alayna Williams, and Cade Williams; her parents, Paul and Lynn Bailey; her brother, Jon Bailey, and sister-in-law Roxanna, niece Kelsey Cross; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Rick and Debbie Williams; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Neil and Andrea Colorado, nephew Ethan Colorado, niece Sydney Colorado, and many other beloved relatives and friends. Kara was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Peggy Bailey. She is also lovingly remembered by her dogs, Wrigley and Ivy, and her cats, Loki and Luna.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Kara's memory to Sprouts Early Learning Academy in Carlisle, Helping Hand of Warren County in Indianola, or Lutheran Services in Iowa - Persons with Disability Services, organizations reflecting her compassion for people and children and her desire to help others.

Kara's life was a gift to those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.