Ralph Widner

Ralph Widner, 100, of Viroqua, died Friday, April 13, 2018. Ralph D. Widner passed away peacefully on April 13, 2018. Ralph was born December 22, 1917 to Otto and Carrie (Karen Lokken) Widner at home in Vernon County and without a doctor, as was the usual thing for that time. Ralph was a youth of dairy farming, horses, wood stoves, lefse and lutefisk. His teen years during the depression were spent working for other farmers and for the CCC. During the war years he worked in Washington DC at the US Bureau of Standards and eventually enlisted in the Navy where he flight-tested instruments on airplanes. It was ironic that Washington was where he met Avanelle LaVonne DeWitt, a country girl from "back home" in Vernon County. They married on May 6th, 1942, and shared 71 years together until her death in 2013. During their early married life the couple farmed south of Bloomingdale with their first two children, Pam and Mike. They later moved to Viroqua with their two youngest children, Becky and Lisa, and in their retirement they were truly blessed to be able to split their time between Wisconsin and Bonita Springs, Florida. During his life Ralph was an active advocate for the land, for community, and for education, serving on various boards and associations. He was a proud family patriarch who recently celebrated his 100th birthday at Bethel Home in Viroqua with friends, neighbors and family. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Avanelle, son Michael and daughter Becky. The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful staff at Creamery Creek Memory Care and the caring angels from Vernon Memorial Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial to the Bland Bekkedal Hospice Center in support of the unparalleled service they provide. A Prayer Service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home (123 W Decker / Hwy 56) in Viroqua. Pastor Kathryn Ingbritsen will officiate with burial to follow military honors in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Wednesday from 10:30am till the time of service at 11. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.