Leonard Widder, 91, of Sheboygan Falls, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice surrounded by his loving family.
Leonard was born August 4, 1932, the son of Gustave and Ida (Miller) Widder. He grew up in Sheboygan Falls, graduating from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1951. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army.
On July 18, 1953 he was united in marriage with Geraldine “Geri” Seider in Plymouth. He shared 63 years of love and devotion with his wife and best friend before her passing in 2017.
For 36 years, Leonard worked at Tecumseh where he retired in 1994 as the plant superintendent. A skilled carpenter and handyman, Leonard proudly built his family’s first home where they lived for over 50 years.
Leonard was a long-time, active member of Blessed Trinity Parish in Sheboygan Falls, where he had been an usher, served on the Parish Council, and helped establish the school board. He lived his faith daily, helping and supporting those around him.
Leonard was also a member of the Sheboygan Falls Lions Club, Sheboygan Falls Fun Club, a lifetime member of the Sheboygan Elks Lodge, and served on the Sheboygan Falls Police and Fire Commission. An avid Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan, Leonard enjoyed golfing, bowling, watching sports, attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, wintering in Florida and Arizona, and spending time with their family at Crystal Lake. Above all, his family was always his priority.
Leonard is survived by three daughters, Sue (Bob) Petska of Sheboygan, Debby (Stephen Westcott) Spaeth of Elkhart Lake and Kathryn (Gary) Jones of Sheboygan; three sons, Kevin (Carleen) Widder of Plymouth, Brian (Mary) Widder of Lake Mills and Gary (Denise) Widder of Manawa; grandchildren, Bryan (Erin) Petska, Kim (Greg) Amos, Sarah, Jay (fiancé Lacey Towe) and Derek Spaeth, Charlie (Jamie), Michael (Katie), Nicholas (Erica) Jones, Joseph (Kayla), Jared (Ann Marie), and Adam Widder, Gus (fiancé Katie Amundson) and Frances (Codey Cross) Widder, Nate, Natalie and Nora Widder; great-grandchildren, Dean Petska, Emerson Amos, Logan, Juliet and Hazel Jones, Chloe and Cooper Jones, Lucas and Isaac Widder, Theodore, Leena, Claire and Therese Widder; sister Mary Pohland, sisters-in-law Margaret Widder and Karen (Milt) Dabbert; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Leonard is preceded in death by his wife Geri, his parents, his in-laws Orlo and Julia Seider, siblings: Roland (Clara) Widder, Frederick Widder, Willard (Audrey) Widder, Adeline (Donald) Lorenz, Norma (Delbert) Klemmer, Elda (Melvin) Kalk, Irma (Wesley) Prange, Violet (George) TerMaat, brother-in-law Bill Pohland and sister-in-law Caroline (Jim) Dohms.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Leonard’s life will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 12:30 pm at Blessed Trinity Parish with Father Matthew Widder officiating. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Sheboygan Falls beside Geri. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the church from 10:30 am until 12:15 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in his name to Blessed Trinity Parish or the Sheboygan Falls Lions Club.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Michael Brooks and his staff, as well as the staffs of Cedar Bay and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.
For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting Leonard’s family with arrangements.
Leonard’s heart and love of God, life, and his family and friends was evident in all he did.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 5-8
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