MARY ELLEN SMITH WIDAMAN

SMITH, WIDAMAN, DIXON, NADOLSKY, FOSTER, HOOPS, DOWNARD

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 3/31/2008 at 14:31:52

Mrs. Charles F. Widaman
Mary Ellen Smith was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, September 16, 1856
to Josiah and Sarah Smith. She was the 4th child of a family of
thirteen children. When she was nine years old, she moved with her
parents to Peoria, Illinois. Three years later they moved near
Chariton, Iowa. At the age of thirteen she was converted and united with
the Christian church at New York,Iowa. She later transferred her
membership to the Russell Christian church where she remained a member
the rest of her life.

She was united in marriage to Charles F. Widaman of Gibbonsville, Idaho
on October 25, 1890 at Dillon, Montana. Two children were born to this
home: Clarence A. of Des Moines and Charles F. of Woodburn. Her husband
passed away August 31, 1894, after which she returned to Russell where
she lived with her two small sons.

In the year of 1898 she was united in marriage to George W. Dixon of
Russell. They lived on a farm near there until March 1, 1908 when they
moved to their farm near Osceola. In 1936 they moved to Osceola where
they lived until the death of her husband on January 12, 1945. On July
5, 1948 she because quite ill and was taken to her son Clarence's home
in Des Moines where she passed away on January 13, 1949 at the age of 92
years, 3 months and 27 days.

She leaves to mourn besides the two sons, one daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Clarence Widaman; three grandchildren, Merill Widaman of Bakersfield,
California, Beulah Nadolsky of Osceola and Harold Widaman of Des Moines;
two grandchildren by marriage, Grace Widaman and Carl Nadolsky; two
great-grandchildren, Jaunita and Alan Widaman of Bakersfield,
California, a niece of her second husband, Mrs. Roy Foster of Chariton
who shared her home for ten years and whom she loved and cared for as
her own child; two sisters, Mrs. John Hoops of Powell Wyoming and Mrs.
Cora Downard of Des Moines; besides nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

"Dearest Mother, thou hasn't left us, in this grief and strife; but not
without example and many words of good advice."

Funeral services were held at Forster funeral home in Woodburn Sunday,
January 16 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Elmer Clark officiating. Mrs.
Wayne Woods, accompanied by Mrs. Maude Davis sang the funeral songs.
Burial was in Salem Cemetery near Russell.