Leona Widholm

Leona Mae Widholm, 92, passed on January 2, 2024 at Hilltop Estates Nursing Home. 

Leona was born July 4, 1931 in Gothenburg, NE; to Herbert and Amelia (Aden) Sitorius, she was their firecracker. She lived in Brady for a few years then moved to her mother's home place east of Gothenburg. Leona attended grade school at Valley School of rural Gothenburg and then attended Gothenburg High School. On June 6, 1951 she married Leonard Widholm and to this union three children were born, Susan, Trudy, and Gary.

Leona was a homemaker, who enjoyed cooking for her family and others, gardening, and taking care of her flowers, she also enjoyed playing games, some of her favorites were, Rummikub and Mexican Train dominoes. She enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan (Eldon) Franzen of North Platte, NE; son, Gary (Brenda) Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; son-in-law, Tim Kotschwar, Kearney, NE; sister, Margery (Norman) Jensen, Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren, Angela (Gabriel) Morrow, Burnt Hills, NY; Sarah (Travis) Nichelson, Sutherland, NE; Richard (Melissa) Fiese, Kearney, NE; Jeffrey (Shiloah) Franzen, North Platte, NE; Tyson Franzen (Aubrey Halligan), Curtis, NE; Jordan (Meggie) Widholm, Omaha, NE; seventeen great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; two sisters-in-law Elaine Widholm, of Burbank, CA and Sandy Widholm of Gothenburg and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, parents, daughter, Trudy Kotschwar, brother, Bill Sitorius, granddaughter, Jennifer Fiese, Great-grandaughters, Hope Elizabeth and Faith Diane Widholm, and two brothers-in-law Harold Widholm and Marvin "Red" Widholm.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, January 4, 2024, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, with the family present from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Services will be held at Cornerstone Bible Church, January 5, 2024 at 10:00 am with Pastor Scott Newman officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Willow Island, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.