Mary Widner

Mary Widner, 79, of Avalanche, rural Viroqua, died Monday, September 7, 2015. Mary Catherine (Clarke) Widner, of Avalanche, Wisconsin passed away Monday, September 7 surrounded by family at the Bland Bekkedal Center for Hospice Care. Mary was the epitome of beauty, class and love. Though born October 5, 1935 at Martha Washington Hospital, Cook County Chicago, Illinois, to James B. & Lenore P. (Davidson) Clarke, she left Chicago after high school for the beautiful landscape of rural Vernon County Wisconsin. Upon moving to Vernon County, Mary attended the Vernon County Normal to earn her teaching degree. After, she spent many years teaching in rural schools, including White Pigeon, Avalanche, Newry (Homestead), and Pleasant Valley. It was while teaching at the Avalanche school that she met Roger Widner. To hear Roger tell it, it was love at first sight for both when he walked into the Avalanche school house so many years ago and said to her, "I suppose you know who I am". Little did they know, that first meeting would lead to building a life right there at the Avalanche school house. Over the years, they purchased the school, turned it into the local store, and eventually built a loving family there. Most important in Marys life was her family. She spent countless hours with her kids and grandkids teaching them valuable life lessons. Gardening, working tobacco, traveling, shopping, dining out, and sleepovers were just some of the many memorable times spent together. Seldom was a trip made for sporting events or shopping when Mary was not in attendance, including traveling throughout the country for gymnastics & wrestling, and driving up to Mall of America to find the latest in prom dress fashion. Aside from teaching, running a store, and raising a family, Mary was an active woman throughout the community. Her love for the outdoors was evident through her passion for gardening and her contributions as a founding member and active participant of the West Fork Sportsman Club; an integral part of her life for the past 40 years. Over the years, Mary also served in leadership positions for such organizations as the Westby PTO, the Democratic Party of Vernon County, the Avalanche ALCW, and deacon and member of the Anna circle at the Westby Coon Prairie Church. Through these, and many other activities, Mary taught her children and grandchildren the value of working hard, living life to the fullest, and finding joy in helping others. Mary is survived by her husband Roger L. Widner, her daughter Susan (Terry) Arentz of Rockland, Wisconsin, five granddaughters Amanda (Nathan) Langrehr, Meghan Arentz, Kelsey (Nick) Giraud, Molly Arentz, and Danielle Widner; three grandsons, Tyler Arentz, Alex Arentz, and Dylan Widner, and five great grandchildren Kaden, Emma, & Tessa Langrehr, and Gracie & Kalli Giraud. She is further survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Survivors especially close to Mary are her brother & sister-in-law Robert L. & June Widner, their children Marcia (Pat) Parker, Monica Klaas, Melissa (Guy) Guglielmi, and Michelle Widner; Marys brother-in-law- William Widner, daughter-in-law Laurie Widner; Marys nieces: Ramona (Glenn) Fromme, Meredith (Steve)Ames, Cindy (Scott) Weber, Linda (Bryan) Burch, and Robert (Amy) Tway; Bradley, Billy, Wendy, Marty Edward, Tome and Kathy Clarke. Mary was preceded in death by her two beloved sons, Roger Lee Widner and Perry James Widner, her brother James B. Clarke, parents, parents in-law Perry James & Rena Florence (Clark) Widner, brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Lester & Viva Widner, Mary & Lorenzo Skundburg, Gladys & Chris Tway, Dorman & Lillian Widner, Dorwin & Edith Widner, and nephew Michael Widner. The family would like to thank the staff at the Bland Bekkedal Center for the exceptional care they gave to Mary. Words cannot explain how amazing this staff has been throughout her time there. Memorials may be directed to the Bland Bekkedal Center. Blessed be our memory of Mary Widner. Funeral services will held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Julie Wollman will officiate with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. A visitation for friends and family will be on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Visitation will also be held on Saturday one hour prior to the service at church. Online condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.