Marie Widmer

A memorial service for Marie R. (Ediger) Widmer, 98, of Washington will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Mennonite Church with Pastor Amanda Beachy officiating.  Following the service there will be a fellowship meal at the church, during which the family will greet friends.  A private family burial will be held prior to the memorial service. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa Mennonite School, Crooked Creek Christian Camp and Mennonite Central Committee.  Marie Widmer died Friday, December 18, 2015 at Halcyon House in Washington.  Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home in Washington is handling the arrangements.

Marie Ruth Widmer was born June 12, 1917 in Buhler, KS, the daughter of Henry H. and Marie (Schmidt) Ediger.  She graduated from Buhler High School and Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Hutchinson, KS. While Marie was doing her volunteer service in Post World War II Amsterdam, Holland, she met and married her husband, Galen W. Widmer.   The couple helped relocate Russian refugees through Germany during the time they spent there, and later in her life she was involved in helping relocate Laotion refugees.  Marie was a RN and worked at Henry County Hosptial, Washington County Hospital and the Parkview Home in Wayland.   She was a member of the Washington Mennonite Church where she was involved in many ways, also volunteering at the Crowded Closet and other organizations.  Marie enjoyed crotcheting and reading, especially reading the Bible, which she had read through several times.  She loved her family and spent many hours praying for them and for many others.

Survivors include four sons: Tim (Cindy) Widmer, Gay (Gloria) Widmer, and Jon (Becky) Widmer all of Washington, IA, and Carl (Donna) Darby of Iowa City, IA, 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one sister, Amanda Bartel of Wichita, KS.

Preceding Marie in death was her husband, Galen in 1997 and seven siblings: Curt, Linda, Henry, Hilda, Sam, Ray and Lavina.