Alice June "June" Widman (Heaton)

SIOUX CITY -- Alice June (Heaton) Widman, 86, of Sioux City went to be with her Lord Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at Sunrise Retirement Community.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Peace Reformed Church, 5200 Glenn Ave., Sioux City. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to www.christysmith.com .

June was born June 25, 1922, in Sioux Falls, S.D., the daughter of Floyd and Susie Heaton. At an early age, her family relocated to Northwest Iowa and later moved to South Sioux City, where she attended high school.

She married William Ernest Widman on June 8, 1941, in South Sioux City. The couple first farmed in Dakota County, then moved to a farm near Bronson, Iowa, where they raised their eight children. During their time near Bronson, she was a wonderful caregiver to her beloved husband during his eight-year battle with ALS. Following his death in 1974, she continued to live in the Bronson area for nearly two decades.

In 1992, she moved to an independent living condominium at Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City. She remained active within the Sunrise family until her death.

She was involved with her children as a 4-H leader. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed working on projects for and with her family members. She was a member of Peace Reformed Church and was involved in various churches throughout her life, serving in the nursery, teaching Sunday School and assisting with Bible School. She also was active in AWANA, hosting the "Good News Club" after school in her home for many years (This is a memory especially treasured by many of her grandchildren). Above all, she will best be remembered as "Grandma June", a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved the Lord and her family very much. She cherished time with her children and their families.

She is survived by four daughters, Martha Kroeger of Harlingen, Texas, Karen (John) Peterson of Bronson; Beverly (Mort) Zenor of Moville, Iowa, and Susan (Gary) Wiens of Windom, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Janna Widman of Lawton, Iowa; three sons, William (Barbara) Widman of Salix, Iowa, Charles (Charlene) Widman of Bronson and David (Elizabeth) Widman of Sergeant Bluff; 39 grandchildren, Mark (Kara) Widman, Cami (Rich) Lundt, Matthew (Jodi) Widman, Cindi Widman, Christine Kroeger, Byron (Susan) Kroeger, John Kroeger, Scott (Ruth) Kroeger, Kathy (Mike) Martinson, Brian (Anita) Peterson, Kala Peterson, Julie Peterson, Dianne (Kevin) Heiss, Carol (Troy) Fluent, David (DaniSue) Peterson, Daniel (Kim) Peterson, Shari (Chip) Kiple, Andy (Karen) Zenor, Amanda (Ryan) Weathers, Courtney (Matt) Washburn, Kimberly (Kelly) Brouwer, Peter (Amber) Widman, Ernest Widman, Joshua Widman, Caleb Widman, Christopher Widman, Jacob Widman, Brandon Widman, Amy Widman, Emily Widman, Bethany Widman, Troy

(Wendy) Widman, Taunya (Tommy) Thomas, Tyler Widman, TaLisha Wiens, Aaron Wiens, Elliott Wiens, LaLissa Wiens and Evan Wiens; 55 great-grandchildren; a sister, Caryle Bates of South Sioux City; two brothers, Floyd "Bud" Heaton of Tallahassee, Fla., and Wallace Heaton of Spokane, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Ernest Widman; a son, Randall Widman; a son-in-law, Floyd Kroeger; two grandsons, James Kroeger and Bradley Zenor; a sister, Bonnie McHugh; a brother, Blaine Heaton; two brothers-in-law, Les Bates and Alex McHugh; and a sister-in-law, Rose Heaton.

Memorials may be directed to Sunrise Retirement Community or the building fund at Peace Reformed Church.