Mary Lois Widmer

Mary Lois Widmer
July 09, 1927 - November 29, 2008
Williamsburg, Iowa
Visitation: 3:00 to 8:00 family present from 3-5 & 6-8 December 05, 2008 at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home - Kalona
Funeral Service: 10:30 am December 06, 2008 at Bethel Mennonite Church -- Wayland
Mary Lois Widmer was born July 9, 1927 in rural Johnson County, Iowa, the daughter of John A. and Katie (Yoder) Swartzendruber. Mary Lois grew up in the Joetown community and graduated from Wellman High School, Cornell College and Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Mary Lois was united in marriage to Clayton John Widmer on May 29, 1949 at the Lower Deer Creek Church near Kalona. The couple lived and farmed in Crawfordsville community for 30 years, Mary Lois then moved to Olds, Iowa from 1983-2004. In 2004 Mary Lois moved to Williamsburg. Mary Lois taught at the Pacific School in rural Johnson County before their marriage, while the children were growing up she was a homemaker and worked at school. She later went to work for Area Education Agency for 20 years retiring in 1998. Mary Lois was a charter member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, were she was the Sunday School superintendent, also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and she was active in WMSC were she was a conference delegate for 15 years. Mary Lois died Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg at the age of 81 years, 4 months and 20 days due to complications of Alzheimer. She is survived by four sons: Lamarr (Margaret) Widmer of Dillsburg, PA, Kent (Pam) Widmer of Williamsburg, Dan (Sue) Widmer of Washington and Dave (Roni) Widmer of Williamsburg; six grandchildren: Joel, Josh, Blaine, Mallory, Mitchell and Jackie Widmer. Mary Lois was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 1970, seven brothers: Mel, William, Hank, John K. George, Urie and Swartzendruber and a sister: Ursula Miller in 2008. Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Bethel Mennonite Church near Wayland. Pastor Phil Slabaugh will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, December 5, 2008 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm with the family present from 3:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Kalona and Saturday from9:30 am until service time at the church. Memorials are for the Crooked Creek Christian Camp, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) or Williamsburg Library. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.