Obituary for Neal Edwin Widder
Neal E. Widder died peacefully amongst loved ones on December 22, 2023, at the age of 92. He enjoyed 59 years of marriage with the love of his life Shirley J. Widder (nee Ten Haken). Neal and Shirley were parents to Carl (Christine Winkel), Jeffrey (Marie Polansky), and Lynn (Mark) Heber, grandparents to Sarah (Justin) Luthey, Adam (Alanna Zajac), Elizabeth (Kevin) Mohsenian, Andrew, Alexander Heber (Allie Sherwood), Stephanie (Ryan) O’Connell, and great-grandparents to Hayden, Savannah, James, Raelyn, and Isla. Shirley preceded him in death, as did his parents Louise H. (nee Guenther) and Roland C. Widder, siblings Roger (Kathryn nee Horner) and Carol (Omer Benn), Aunt Louise O. Widder, Aunt Ella (nee Guenther) and Uncle Bill Eberle, cousins Vinelda Guenther and Violet (Howard Schmidt), and other family.
Neal was born in Milwaukee, attending Keefe Avenue Elementary and Rufus King High School. He graduated from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville with a BS Degree in Music Education, and later attained his Masters Degree from Northwestern University. Neal played flute and piccolo in the US Army Band in Washington, DC. He was adept at playing the violin, guitar, harp, recorders, bagpipes, piano, and more. In 1954, he started his teaching career in Cedar Grove High School along with directing the choir at First Reformed Church, where he met Shirley. In the mid 1960s, Neal taught in Port Washington and Neenah before moving to Sheboygan in 1969 where he taught until retiring in 1993. He directed the choir at First United Lutheran Church for 25 years, while also volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 861. Neal enjoyed planning adventurous vacations with the family camping trailer, gardening, feeding the birds, fishing, bicycling, hiking, handyman projects, eating a piece of bread with Shirley’s strawberry jam over the sink, and more. In retirement, he expanded his woodworking shop where he crafted beautiful instruments, furniture, kitchen cabinets to Shirley’s precise specifications, and intricate creations for all his children and grandchildren. Neal had a good sense of pausing to reflect, especially when taking a walk with his grandchildren to share a little bag of cookies. His easy going manner, kind and generous spirit, humor, and caring nature made for loving relationships with his family and friends. Neal cultivated a deep faith throughout his life of service.
The Widder family extends deep appreciation to the exceptional staff of Cedar Communities Willows for their dedicated and tender care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 Paradise Dr, West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor Robert Wells presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cedar Communities would be appreciated.
The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. 262-338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com
Neal was born in Milwaukee, attending Keefe Avenue Elementary and Rufus King High School. He graduated from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville with a BS Degree in Music Education, and later attained his Masters Degree from Northwestern University. Neal played flute and piccolo in the US Army Band in Washington, DC. He was adept at playing the violin, guitar, harp, recorders, bagpipes, piano, and more. In 1954, he started his teaching career in Cedar Grove High School along with directing the choir at First Reformed Church, where he met Shirley. In the mid 1960s, Neal taught in Port Washington and Neenah before moving to Sheboygan in 1969 where he taught until retiring in 1993. He directed the choir at First United Lutheran Church for 25 years, while also volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 861. Neal enjoyed planning adventurous vacations with the family camping trailer, gardening, feeding the birds, fishing, bicycling, hiking, handyman projects, eating a piece of bread with Shirley’s strawberry jam over the sink, and more. In retirement, he expanded his woodworking shop where he crafted beautiful instruments, furniture, kitchen cabinets to Shirley’s precise specifications, and intricate creations for all his children and grandchildren. Neal had a good sense of pausing to reflect, especially when taking a walk with his grandchildren to share a little bag of cookies. His easy going manner, kind and generous spirit, humor, and caring nature made for loving relationships with his family and friends. Neal cultivated a deep faith throughout his life of service.
The Widder family extends deep appreciation to the exceptional staff of Cedar Communities Willows for their dedicated and tender care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 Paradise Dr, West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor Robert Wells presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cedar Communities would be appreciated.
The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. 262-338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com