Krista Marie Pape

Krista Marie (Williams) Pape peacefully went home to the Lord on Sunday, January 7th, 2024, with family and friends surrounding her bedside.

A family- led funeral service will be held at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, including a celebration of life luncheon to follow the service.

Krista was born January 5th, 1960, to Betty and Kenneth Williams, growing up in Minburn, Iowa. She lived in central Iowa most her adult life, working as a caregiver and nurse aide. She married her best friend, Russell Pape, on November 18, 2000. Krista was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a woman of faith and did Jesus' work in spreading the good news of the Lord and made it her mission to help others, making sure they also knew Jesus. There was always room in her home, at her dinner table, and her heart for those that needed a safe place, and to be shown love. Krista saw the best in those that may not have seen it in themselves and had a way of uplifting and motivating to help others fulfill their potential. Her kids and grandkids certainly benefited from her patience and persistence to educate them on life skills such as, gardening, basic courtesy, makeup application, painting, fishing, and how to make the Williams family staple dish of homemade chicken & noodles. She also showed how to love life by having fun and being goofy. Her backyard became a playground, and grandkid sleepovers were full of giggles and games. When the time came for end-of-life care, Krista said matter of factly, "You know what, the doctors talk about end of life, but as far as I’m concerned, I'm going to keep living to the end!" This showed her grit, unwavering strength, and her spiritual tenacity. She absolutely loved life and was determined to get every second out of it, living it fully. She would always remind her family to “Put on the Armor of God” in times of weakness and worry. She was a warrior for Christ and passed this strength onto her family and friends.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Russell Pape of Marshalltown, IA. Children, Stevie (Shane) Dunaway of Des Moines, Morgan (Mark Christopher) Hart of Adel, Tara (Joel) Widdel of Marion, Ben (Lauren) Pape of Platteville, WI, and bonus son, James Zenor of Marshalltown, IA. Her beloved grandchildren, which were the light of her life, Madden, Miles, Shyan, Gavin, Mina and Shawn. Father-in-law, Jerry Pape of Dyersville. Siblings Keith (Beulah) Stinson of Fort Wayne, IN, Kyna Williams of Brighton, England, Kara Devilbiss of Des Moines, Karla Williams of Iowa City, Rita Williams of Crystal Lake, and Jeff (Wanda) Pape of Dyersville. Many beloved nephews, nieces and great-nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Terry Hart, parents, Betty & Kenneth Williams, her brother Kirk Williams and Mother-in-law, Ina Pape.

Krista’s humor was undeniable, another attribute passed onto her daughters. At her service you will find hints of this humor, including the request to play James Brown’s famous song “I Feel Good.” In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Food Bank of Iowa in Krista Pape’s name. https://donate.foodbankiowa.org/give/524376/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=24FYOG

Lovingly written by her family