Orville Widger

January 21, 1926 - June 6, 2013

Orville Widger C. Orville Widger, the oldest of 5 sons, was born on January 21, 1926, to Carl O.(Fat) and Eva (McMullen) Widger. He attended Hillcrest country grade school, and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1942. Orville was a farmer and he also raised Herefords. In later years he continued wheat farming. On December 27, 1953, Orville married Ila Ann Thone, a local high school teacher in Blair, Nebraska. Three sons were born to his union: Mark, Dan and Sam. Orville and Ila were married 59 years. Orville was a Cub and Boy Scout Master, and a member and president of the Wauneta Gun Club for over 40 years. He was a skilled mechanic, welder (John Deere and Ford enthusiast), wood worker, farmer/rancher, and gardener (raising strawberries, black raspberries and melons). He also enjoyed watching auto racing. Orville was a Nascar member in the early 1950’s and he attended the Indy 500 twice. After his wife, Ila retired from teaching, they bought a cabin in Colorado and enjoyed summers there watching the humming birds and feeding peanuts to the stellar jays. Orville was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with a wry sense of humor. Orville passed away early Thursday morning, June 6th, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was 87 years of age. Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Eva; son Mark; and brothers Harold and Glen. Survivors Include: Wife: Ila of Wauneta, NE. Daughter-in-Law: Carrie Widger of Ashland, NE Son: Dan Widger and wife, Deb, of Wahoo, NE Son: Sam Widger and wife, Michelle, of Kearney, NE. 10 Grandchildren: Sarah C., Alicia and Matthew (Mark and Carrie’s children); Emily and Amy (Dan and Deb’s children); Keri, Adam, Zachary, Megan and Hannah (Sam and Michelle’s children); grand daughter-in-law: Sarah Lu; and grandson-in-law Justin Rahn. 3 Great-Grandchildren: Koltar and Erika Rahn, and Cami Dieter. Brothers: Marlin Widger of Imperial, NE. Dean Widger and wife, Diane, of Fort Morgan, CO. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday morning, June 12th, 2013, 10:30 A.M. (MT) at the United Methodist Church of Wauneta, with Lay Pastor Melody Newman officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta. Visitation will be held Tuesday afternoon, June 11th, 2013, 2:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.(MT) The family will be greeting the public from 4:00 P.M. -6:00 P.M. (MT) at the funeral home in Wauneta. A memorial has been established to the United Methodist Church of Wauneta, NE Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com LIEWER FUNERAL HOME OF WAUNETA IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS