Obituary: Kathleen Widicker

Kathleen Widicker

Kathleen J. "Kathy" Widicker, 76, Bowdon, N.D., passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023, at her home near Bowdon, N.D.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Bowdon Country Seventh-day Adventist Church, rural Bowdon, N.D., with Pastors Terry Pflugard and Neil Biloff officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery later in the spring.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday, April 10 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden, N.D.

Kathleen Joanne Holweger was born December 17, 1946, in Aberdeen, S.D. She grew up on the family farm south of Bowdle, S.D., with her parents, Arthur and Ellen, and her sister, Peggy.

Kathy's education began in a small one-room country school near the farm. In the second grade, Kathy developed a severe case of rheumatic fever. After spending several weeks in the hospital followed by a recovery at home, she was allowed to return to school, with a cot inside the schoolhouse, so she could rest as needed. While her doctors were skeptical about her growing to adulthood, obviously, the Lord had other plans.

Growing up, Kathy was taught by her parents to help on the family farm. Some of her jobs were to keep the summer fallow black and gather and pack dozens of eggs daily on her family farm, which were sold to Kessler's in Aberdeen, S.D.

Kathy attended high school at Plainview Academy near Redfield, S.D. After graduating in 1964, she attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. Kathy majored in business and organ. However, those were not her only interests. While attending Union College, Kathy met, and fell in love with, Gary Widicker.

On August 28, 1968, they married and began their life together on a farm near Bowdon, N.D. Farming defined the two of them and became their life for over 50 years.

Life was a joy for Kathy. She was always busy; if you knew her, there wasn't much she wouldn't do, and she was never one to slow down.

She was the cook, entertainer, housekeeper, accountant, painter, decorator, gardener, landscape engineer, Sabbath School teacher, Bible School leader, Church Elder and organist, cancer survivor, and for many years the chief combine driver on the family farm.

Kathy also volunteered at the Carrington Public School as a reading tutor; and served on countless committees and boards benefitting her church. This included nine years on the Dakota Conference Executive Committee.

Kathy was dedicated to her community. She was a member of the Berlin Township Homemakers Club. However, she needed a sponsor to be part of the club, as she did not live in Berlin Township. Esther Widicker, her mother-in-law, was happy to sponsor her.

Kathy wore many hats, but music was her passion. For 49 years, she was the church organist. In those 49 years, Kathy accompanied numerous vocal and instrumental pieces on the piano. Kathy's love of Southern Gospel music led her and Gary to Gospel Quartet Conventions around the country.

Most important to Kathy was her family. Kathy and Gary raised three children: Heathe Alexander married to Holly; Hans Christopher married to Lindsay; and Heidi Renee married to Rick Tast. Kathy was blessed with seven grandchildren, Jackson, Hanna, Emily, Hailey, Wyatt, Jillian and Cooper.

She was her children's and grandchildren's most prominent supporter. Whether it be cheering at sporting events, to encouraging piano lessons and feeding bottle calves, Kathy was always involved and supported them.

Kathy passed away peacefully on March 30, 2023, in her home, with family and friends by her side. She will be remembered as kind and loving, always hosting and entertaining family and friends.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Gary of Bowdon, N.D.; her sister, Peggy (Lance) Liebelt, of Simi Valley, Calif.; her sons, Heathe (Holly) and Hans (Lindsay), of Bowdon, N.D.; her daughter, Heidi (Rick) Tast, of Lincoln, Neb.; her grandchildren, Hanna Widicker, Hailey Widicker, Wyatt Widicker, Jillian Widicker, Cooper Widicker and Emily Tast; and two nieces, a nephew and many cousins.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Ellen Holweger, and grandson, Jackson Owen Tast.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home, Leeds, Maddock, Minnewaukan and Fessenden.