Leonard Ernest Widholm, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died April 16, 2013 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.
He was born January 25, 1929 at Tallin Table north of Gothenburg, NE, son of Ernest and Martha Alma (Weeks) Widholm.
Leonard grew up at Tallin Table and graduated from Gothenburg High School, class of 1947. He served his country as an Army Medic during the Korean War. Leonard married Leona Mae Sitorius June 6, 1950 at Gothenburg. They began a lifetime of farming and raising their three children; Susan, Trudy and Gary. Leonard enjoyed farming, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also liked to travel and enjoyed Husker football.
Surviving are his wife Leona Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; two daughters – Susan (Eldon) Franzen of North Platte, NE, Trudy (Tim) Kotschwar of Kearney, NE; one son – Gary (Brenda) Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; four granddaughters – Angela (Gabriel) Morrow of Wisconsin; Jennifer Fiese of Gothenburg, NE; Sarah (Travis) Nichelson of MI; Jenn Kotschwar of Kearney, NE; five grandsons – Richard (Melissa) Fiese of Elm Creek, NE; Jeffrey (Shiloah) Franzen of North Platte, NE; Tyson Franzen of North Platte, NE; Jordan (Meggie) Widholm of Sioux City, IA; Jeff (Becky) Kotschwar of El Paso, TX; 13 great grandchildren – Zacheri Caldwell, Sky Lineger, Trenton Flies, Ameila Grace Morrow, Jude Morrow, Mikayla Nichelson, Madison Nichelson, Adam Nichelson, Zander Fiese, Kegan Fiese, Audrey Kotschwar, Makenzie Kotschwar, Feona Mae Franzen; sister – Carolyn (Donald) Glenn of Omaha, NE; sister-in-laws – Elaine Widholm of Glendale, CA, Sandy Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; Margery (Norman) Jensen of Council Bluffs, IA; brother-in-law, Bill Sitorius of Gothenburg, NE; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Bernard Widholm; mother, Martha Alma Widholm – Fry; step-father, Samuel Fry; and two brothers, Marvin “Red” and Harold Widholm. and sister-in-law, Susie Sitorius.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, April 21, 2013 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, April 22, 2013 at 10:30 am with David Wiseman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.