Celia A. Willems

Mrs. Celia Willems, 101, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 19, 2018. She was born on February 21, 1917 in Subiaco, Arkansas to Albert and Cecilia Schoen. Celia was the last of her generation of 9 children. Celia was married to Fred Willems from 1935 until his passing in 1997. After their wedding in Arkansas, she and Fred moved to Amarillo. Several years later, they relocated to Albuquerque, and then finally to El Paso in 1948. Celia was a woman of strong Catholic faith and a longtime member of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. She was a homemaker who loved her family very much. She was warmly known as Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Celia loved to crochet and made the most beautiful afghans, tablecloths, and dollies. She was an excellent cook as well from pot roasts to enchiladas, plus baked the best rolls and spice rock cookies. Her home was always immaculate. She loved to decorate her home for Christmas and gift wrapped the most beautiful presents. Celia also made time to volunteer for the American Red Cross as a nurses’ aide at Wm Beaumont Army Hospital, and for the American Cancer Society driving cancer patients for their treatments. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Cecilia Schoen; husband, Fred, daughter Betty Roselyn, sons Fred, Edwin, Gary, and Greg; sisters Rose Fassnacht, Kathryn Hoegger, Theresa Burch, Marie Baumgartner, Ann Marie Duerr; and brothers Joseph Schoen, John Schoen and Albert Schoen (AJ). She is survived by one son, Larry (Ann); six grandchildren Jeff Willems (Londa), Denise Willems, Brian Willems, and Tom Willems, Kathy O’Laughlin (Troy), and Randy Willems, seven great grandchildren Victoria Revell (Bo), Simon Willems (Dayna); Cody O’Laughlin (Hanna) and Cassie O’Laughlin; Cady, Cody and Cameron Willems; as well as two great-great grandchildren, Wesley and Nathan Willems; special nephew Dennis Schoen, and niece Susie Elliott, as well as numerous other nephews and nieces. A special thank you to Fernie Castillo and his wife Veronica for helping Celia for many years doing yard work, house repairs, grocery shopping and so much more, we are so grateful, as that kindness made it possible for her stay in her home as she wished. The family would also like to thank her caretakers, Vickie, Mary and her daughter Desirae. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church.