Pamela Sue Widmer, 17 May 1954 - 04 Feb 2017

WIDMER, NIEBUHR, SCHMIDT, JEPSEN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 2/23/2017 at 15:49:42

Celebration of life service for Pamela S. Widmer, 62, Williamsburg, was held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9, at West Union Mennonite Church. She died peacefully at her home in Williamsburg on Feb. 4, 2017, surrounded by family. She went to be with her Lord after a 20 month struggle with ovarian cancer, which she battled with courage and grace.

Memorials may be made to Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Crooked Creek Christian Camp or West Union Mennonite Church.

Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, was in charge of arrangements.

The daughter of Eugene and Helen (Schmidt) Niebuhr, Pamela Sue Widmer was born May 17, 1954, in Clinton. She was baptized at St John’s Lutheran Church and later confirmed at the age of 14. Pam was nurtured by her parents’ example, where she began her unwavering faith journey as well as the development of her gifts of care giving and kindness to all. Growing up, she enjoyed large family gatherings with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also enjoyed the Mississippi River, including family outings at the cabin, fishing, boating, skiing, and learned the art of jumping off the railroad bridge pillars into the river (which her parents likely did not know).

She graduated from Clinton High School in 1972 and the University of Iowa in 1976 with a BS in nursing. It was during her college years that she met the love of her life and future husband Kent during a blind date. Kent soon discovered Pam’s boundless caring, gentle, and warm personality. Pam’s offer to buy Kent a student season date ticket to U of I football games sealed the romance. Kent and Pam were united in marriage on Aug. 21, 1976, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Last fall they enjoyed their 40th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii as well as their 40th consecutive year of Iowa football season tickets.

Pam truly enjoyed her work as a nurse. In following Kent’s career, she was able to work in various settings and meet many wonderful coworkers. She was currently a staff nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa River Landing Procedure Unit. She also had worked at Marengo Memorial Hospital, Galesburg Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Ill., and Ohio State University Hospital where she received the Annual Excellence in Clinical Nursing Award. Pam enjoyed both the physical and mental healing aspects of nursing. She was gifted with the ability to connect and gain the trust of all she cared for, no matter their background or mental state, striving to help those she cared for to a better place.

Pam’s Christian faith has continued to grow until the end. She was currently a member of the West Union Mennonite Church and previously the Knoxville Illinois United Methodist Church. Over the years she has served as SS teacher, MYF sponsor, greeter, church librarian, board member of the Methodist Preschool, and many various church committees. She has also spent countless hours donating her time and supplying food to various mission programs. She recently completed a three-year term on the MCC Relief Sale quilt committee. Pam endured many disappointments and tragedy during her lifetime, but her faith helped her to continue what God had intended for her.

Pam dearly enjoyed her family and spending time with her sons Joel and Josh. She enjoyed attending sporting, drama, and musical events that her sons, nephews and nieces participated in. Pam also enjoyed cooking, family vacations, reading, crocheting, attending Hawkeye sporting events, and her dog Murphy. Pam never missed family gatherings and the opportunity to be with those she loved. She loved her extended Widmer family like her own, saying she just had that many more aunts, uncles, and cousins.

It was Pam’s wish that this note be included in her obituary. “Thank you to all my coworkers at Iowa River Landing for their understanding and love during my illness. Thank you to all University of Iowa employees for their incredible generosity during my leaves of absence. Thank you to Dr Bender and all Oncology Women’s Health staff, the infusion and floor nurses and medical assistants for their wonderful care in giving me an extra year to do the things I love to do.”

Widmer is survived by her parents of Clinton; husband, Kent; son, Josh Widmer, Williamsburg; sister, Barb (Dan) Jepsen, Port Byron Ill.; brothers, Larry (Pam) Niebuhr, Eldridge, and Jeff (Sharon) Niebuhr, Clinton, along with sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her son, Joel Widmer, in February 2014.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 22 Feb 2016 pg 5
The Gazette [abbreviated] 07 Feb 2017, 10a