Obituary: William “Bill” Farmer – CentralMaine.com

William “Bill” Farmer

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – William “Bill” Farmer, 72, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died peacefully at Allen Hospital on December 29, 2022.

Few people lived their lives with as much compassion and joy as Bill. Born on September 14, 1950 in Great Bend, Kan., Bill grew up in Mason City, Iowa, where he enjoyed singing and spending time outdoors. While studying Biology and Education at Loras College, Bill took part in two particularly transformative experiences: a choral tour of Europe that opened the world to him, and a mentoring club called Do It Yourself, where he also met lifelong friends as his wife of 48 years, Mary Lee. The two were married on June 15, 1974 at St. Patrick’s Church in Dubuque.

During the Vietnam War, Bill served his country as a conscientious objector, first as a teacher at St. John’s School in Waterloo and then as a nurse at Allen Hospital. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in nursing, and he graduated from Allen College of Nursing in 1977 – one of two men in his senior year. Bill enjoyed his career at Allen and valued his valued colleagues and mentors. Every day in the hospital was an opportunity to help someone, and he encouraged those around him to achieve the same goal and fulfillment.

As a father and husband, Bill was loving and ever-present: Packing lunch for the family each morning, always including a thoughtful note; he put the girls to bed every night with songs for Laura and Sherlock Holmes stories for Ann; During the summer, he, Mary, and the girls took epic family trips, including one as far away as Maine.

After retiring from Allen Hospital, Bill enjoyed traveling with Mary and spent many great mornings with friends at the Cup of Joe in downtown Cedar Falls, where he was a popular regular.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Cedar Falls; daughters Ann (Matt) Congdon of Augusta, Maine and Laura Farmer of Marion; brother Steve (Kathy) Farmer of Mason City, sister-in-law Betty Lee of Dubuque and sister-in-law Shawn Farmer of Des Moines; Nieces Lisa (Ray) Wilfong from Urbandale and Karen (Steve) Sprague from San Antonio, Texas. His parents, Howard and Nancy Farmer, preceded him in death; as well as his sister Linda, brother Paul and sister-in-law Ruth Farmer.

There will be a visitation at the Richardson Funeral Service on Monday, January 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary at 3:45 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Lunch will follow for all with burial at Greenwood Cemetery.

Online condolences can be left at http://www.richardsonfuneralservice.com.

commemorative donations

can be done to:

the Allen Foundation or:

St Patrick Catholic Church