Josephine M. (Taft) Widner

Josephine M. (Taft) Widner, 87, of Sioux City passed away Friday, July 11, 2008, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel, with Elder Vance Harnack officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Josephine was born Nov. 24, 1920, in Sioux City, to Arthur G. and Lily (Reedy) Taft. She was raised and educated in Sioux City, graduating from Central High School with the class of 1939.

She married Harold A. Widner and together, they raised 14 children. Her husband died Sept. 12, 1966.

She was an amazing artist and enjoyed her active membership in the Sioux City Artist Group. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing, traveling, crocheting, knitting and making several crafts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a very compassionate person by contributing funds to the Christian Children's Fund, sponsoring several foster children and funding children through the Indian Children's Fund along with many other charities.

She raised numerous pets including birds and cats, but found her deepest love in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was also a long-standing member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

She is survived by her sons, Patrick (Gloria) Widner, Arthur Widner, Bruce Widner, Dean (Barb) Widner, Dennis (Diane) Widner, David (Mayra) Widner and Christopher (Bessy) Widner; daughters, Judy Douglas, Linda (William) Kane, JoEllen (Gil) Nelson, Bonnie (Phil) Nolen, Mary Powell and Nancy (Warren) Baker; 26 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Roy and William; three grandchildren; and a son, Harold "Bud" Widner.

Pallbearers will be Heath Nelson, Warren Baker, Lucas Widner, Alex Widner, Jon Comes, Shelby Poulsen, Kristin Poulsen and Josie Poulsen.