Gail Williamson

Gail Elizabeth Williamson, 65, after years of chronic health problems and numerous hospital stays, left all her infirmities behind and joined her parents in Heaven on Friday, June 28, 2024.

Gail was born in Beaumont, Texas, on November 17, 1958, to Bill and Sarah (Pitschmann) Williamson. In 1960 her family moved to Rochester Minnesota, which became her lifelong home.

A longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where her father once pastored, Gail accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. She also greatly enjoyed singing in the choir, playing musical instruments, and faithfully attended for as long as she was able. For years in the 1960s -1970s she was a regular visitor at Valley Baptist Church in Winona, where her father also pastored.

Gail attended school at Elton Hills and Herbert Hoover elementary schools, John Adams Junior High, and John Marshall High School, where she enthusiastically cheered on the Rockets even after her graduation in 1977. She played violin in the Orchestra until her graduation and was also active in Girl Scouts all the way through high school, selling countless hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout cookies. In the summers, she enjoyed attending church camps at locations throughout Minnesota.

All her life, Gail greatly enjoyed playing table games with family. She liked being partners with her brother David when he was in town. She also enjoyed fishing with her family, and went on many trips to northern Minnesota. She loved family vacations to visit relatives in Texas and other family road trips to nearly every corner of the United States. An avid sports fan, she eagerly cheered on the Twins, the Vikings, and especially her beloved Baylor Bears. She was always utterly convinced that the only way any of these teams ever lost was due to cheating by the opponent and/or blown calls by game officials.

A few years after graduation, Gail started working at Ability Building Center. She spent 35 years doing assembly work for various businesses, making many lifelong friends during her decades there, both at ABC and riding the bus. Indeed, from early childhood, Gail was very sociable and had a knack for making new friends. For years she was in RADAR Bowling, and for a time served as an advisor on their board. She also was in RideAbility for a number of years. When she moved into the Rochester East nursing home four years ago, she made many new friends there.

Prior to that, Gail was determined to live as independently as possible for as long as she could, and she didn't always tell her family when she needed help. Fortunately, she had other "big brothers" and "big sisters" who helped her. You know who you are, even if we don't. THANK YOU!!!

Gail's Christian faith served her well. She was the very definition of an incurable optimist. No matter how sick she became, she always believed she would get better. At the end, when she learned that she only had days remaining, she accepted it with courage and grace. She teared up, but she didn't melt down. She knew with absolute conviction that when she passed from this world she would finally soar free from a body and mind that often betrayed her, and abide in Heaven with a newly perfected body and mind.

Gail was preceded in eternal life by her parents, Bill and Sarah Williamson. She is survived by her three brothers, Richard (Linda) Williamson, David Williamson, Dan (Ann) Williamson, numerous cousins, five nieces, one nephew, two grandnephews and three grandnieces.

Visitation for family and friends will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, July 6, at Emmanuel Baptist Church (2911 18th Ave NW) in Rochester. At 11:00 AM there will be a memorial service and celebration of her life officiated by Steve Melvin, Administrative Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Memorials are suggested to the American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org) and to Emmanuel Baptist Church (www.ebcrochester.org).

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Williamson family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com