1918
Dr.
2011
Dr. Widmer
February 26, 1918 — August 10, 2011
WAYLAND, Iowa - Dr. James Glen Widmer, 93, left his earthly body on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant, after battling cancer.
Glen was born Feb. 26, 1918, near Wayland, Iowa, to Christian G. and Elisabeth (Rediger) Widmer.
He married Helen Yoder on June 6, 1943, at Wayland. Throughout their 68 years together they strived to live lives of love and service to family, community, church, and God.
He was an active member of Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, having accepted Christ as his personal savior in December 1932.
He attended the rural Douglas School, Wayland High School, and Goshen College, Ind. He graduated from the University of Iowa medical school in September 1944 and then served in the U.S. Public Health Service until after the end of World War II.
In 1946, he opened a general medical practice at Wayland, where he cared for the community until 1992.
He was also an active volunteer. He was a member of Gideons International for 37 years, holding state office for nine years. He served as secretary of the Mennonite Medical Association. He helped establish and was president of the Wayland Mennonite Home Association which sponsors Parkview Home. He was president of the founding board of the Henry County Community Mental Health Association. He helped found Wayland Mobile Meals and Crooked Creek Christian Camp. He was a charter member of the Wayland Lions Club and served as president. He served on the board of Wayland State Bank for many years, including a term as chairman. A promoter of good education, he served on the boards of the Wayland school and Hesston College, Ks., and on the Mennonite Board of Education.
Upon retirement, Glen and Helen continued to reside in Wayland and to volunteer in many ways. He enjoyed gardening, reading, picking out nuts and visiting with friends and family. He passed on to his children his love of local and family history and the world of nature. He traveled near and far, to see new places as well as to help those in need.
He is survived by his wife Helen and six children: Gwen Widmer and husband Patrick Clancy, Kansas City, Mo.; Theodore Widmer and wife Linda Widmer, Mt. Pleasant; Jane Widmer Yoder and husband Frank Yoder, Kalona; Jean Clark and husband Dan Clark, Muscatine; James Widmer and wife Alice Widmer, Mt. Pleasant; and Janice Hadley, Valparaiso, Ind. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two brothers, Reuben and Daniel; and a former exchange student and family member Madjid Nader and wife Shirin and two sons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry and Paul; four sisters, Katie Roth, Esther Widmer, Mary Wenger, and Frieda Freyenberger; an infant son and infant twin grandsons.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church with visitation Friday, Aug. 12, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Glen's life may contribute to Parkview Home (102 N. Jackson St., Wayland, IA 52654) or Gideons International (P.O. Box 98, Wayland, IA 52654).
Glen was born Feb. 26, 1918, near Wayland, Iowa, to Christian G. and Elisabeth (Rediger) Widmer.
He married Helen Yoder on June 6, 1943, at Wayland. Throughout their 68 years together they strived to live lives of love and service to family, community, church, and God.
He was an active member of Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, having accepted Christ as his personal savior in December 1932.
He attended the rural Douglas School, Wayland High School, and Goshen College, Ind. He graduated from the University of Iowa medical school in September 1944 and then served in the U.S. Public Health Service until after the end of World War II.
In 1946, he opened a general medical practice at Wayland, where he cared for the community until 1992.
He was also an active volunteer. He was a member of Gideons International for 37 years, holding state office for nine years. He served as secretary of the Mennonite Medical Association. He helped establish and was president of the Wayland Mennonite Home Association which sponsors Parkview Home. He was president of the founding board of the Henry County Community Mental Health Association. He helped found Wayland Mobile Meals and Crooked Creek Christian Camp. He was a charter member of the Wayland Lions Club and served as president. He served on the board of Wayland State Bank for many years, including a term as chairman. A promoter of good education, he served on the boards of the Wayland school and Hesston College, Ks., and on the Mennonite Board of Education.
Upon retirement, Glen and Helen continued to reside in Wayland and to volunteer in many ways. He enjoyed gardening, reading, picking out nuts and visiting with friends and family. He passed on to his children his love of local and family history and the world of nature. He traveled near and far, to see new places as well as to help those in need.
He is survived by his wife Helen and six children: Gwen Widmer and husband Patrick Clancy, Kansas City, Mo.; Theodore Widmer and wife Linda Widmer, Mt. Pleasant; Jane Widmer Yoder and husband Frank Yoder, Kalona; Jean Clark and husband Dan Clark, Muscatine; James Widmer and wife Alice Widmer, Mt. Pleasant; and Janice Hadley, Valparaiso, Ind. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two brothers, Reuben and Daniel; and a former exchange student and family member Madjid Nader and wife Shirin and two sons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry and Paul; four sisters, Katie Roth, Esther Widmer, Mary Wenger, and Frieda Freyenberger; an infant son and infant twin grandsons.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church with visitation Friday, Aug. 12, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Glen's life may contribute to Parkview Home (102 N. Jackson St., Wayland, IA 52654) or Gideons International (P.O. Box 98, Wayland, IA 52654).
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