Helen Irene Widman

Born January 3, 1923 at home in Sac County, IA to Edward W Groth and Ethel L

(Hunter) Groth. She resided on the farm for most of her life attending the Sac 

county country school through 8th grade, and 9th grade at Newel, IA High School 

while living with Grandma Hunter.  In 1941 at the age of 18 she moved to Des 

Moines, IA living with friends and working in the Defense plant during WWII. 

After a year, she moved home and met the love of her life, Gail E Widman on

July 4, 1944 at Storm Lake IA.  Gail was home on leave and they were engaged

and married on August 29, 1944 at the Methodist Parsonage, Sac County Ia.

They moved to Great Bend, KS for 1 year where Gail completed his military service. 

They moved home to Storm Lake, IA in 1945 and started farming. In 1956 they

moved to Reading MN, 1959 to Balaton, MN and to Brewster in 1963 where they

farmed for 20 years and she also upholstered furniture. In 1982 they retired when

Gail was afflicted with Parkinson’s disease and moved to Fulda MN. She took care

of him until his death in 1991. She continued to live in her home in Fulda until

moving to the Mapleview apartments in 2014 then Maple Lawn nursing Home in

2016.  She was active in her church, serving as an Elder, the Quilt Club and

United Presbyterian Women for many years. She enjoyed being a Pink Lady volunteer for

over 25 years at Maple Lawn Nursing Home.  She loved her family more than any-

thing but she loved keeping busy with sewing, quilting, crocheting, flower and

vegetable gardens. She entered projects at the local county fairs for over 50 years

and was named the Fulda Quilt Lady by the local paper. She loved music, especially

a good Polka, it always made her want to dance. She loved to help out older ladies

in the community that she would bake for and visit with. She will leave an eternal

legacy with those she has left behind with her hard working determination and

creative abilities beyond belief.  She is survived by her children, Janet Scherbart,

Balaton, MN.  Joyce (Darrell) Sanderson, Richville, MN.  Robert (Gail) Widman,

Round Lake, MN. Beverly (Denis) Wolff, Brewster MN. Russell (Kathy) Widman,

Alexandria, MN.  14 Grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great

grandchildren. Sister-in-law Florence Groth, and many wonderful nieces, nephews

and friends.  She cherished each and every one of you. She was preceded in death

by her loving spouse of 47 years, her parents, brothers, Chris and Edward Groth and

sisters, Mathilda Schossow and Viola Bartlett and many wonderful family and friends. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the First

Presbyterian Church in Fulda, MN. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 11:00 Am at the

First Presbyterian Church in Fulda. Interment will be at the Prairie Hill Cemetery in Fulda.