Eugene Widstrom

OBITUARY Eugene Allen Widstrom was born on August 23, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN the son of Joseph and Mae (Storberg) Widstrom. He was raised in SE Minneapolis and graduated from Marshall High School in 1938. Eugene joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he built roads and charted lakes near Ely, MN. Gene also joined the United States Army during WWII. He was stationed in Europe and worked as a supply sergeant. Gene was united in marriage to Jean Clare Floerkey on June 5, 1943 at Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Together they had eight children MaryClare, Ken, Paula, Beth, Denise, Stephen, Christopher, and Michele. Jean died in 1962. On October 3, 1964 Gene was united in marriage to Dorothy (Dierkhising) Loeffler at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Alexandria. A son, Mark, was born to Gene and Dorothy in 1965. Gene worked for over 40 years as a hardware salesman for the George A. Clark and Son Company. He then worked as a friendly ?Greeter? at Wal-Mart for almost 20 years. Gene was very active in St. Mary?s church and choir. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years and reached the 4th Degree in that organization. He also belonged to the American Legion and VFW. Gene always had a story to tell and enjoyed meeting with friends and playing cribbage and bridge. He loved to play golf and was able to card two Hole-in-One shots on #13 at the Alexandria Golf Course. Gene spent much of his time woodworking and made jewelry boxes for his daughters and granddaughters. Gene had a great sense of humor and a wonderful attitude toward life. Gene?s family always came first with him. Eugene died on Friday, October 21, 2011 at Knute Nelson at the age of 91. He is survived by children: Mark (Jennifer) Widstrom of Duluth, Michele Groves of Woodbury, Christopher (Sharon) Widstrom of St. Cloud, Denise (Rick) Barnaal of Kimberly, WI, Beth (Roger) Widstrom-Anderson of Maple Grove, Paula (Gary) Hanson of Champlin, Ken (Teresa) Widstrom of Coon Rapids, and MaryClare (Roger) Helgeson of Minneapolis; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Russ (Lee) Widstrom of Port Charlotte, FL; sister Joy Dvorak of Robbinsdale, MN; sister-in-law Lavonne Widstrom of Columbia Heights, MN. He was preceded in death by his first wife Jean, second wife Dorothy; son Stephen; brothers Wayne, Roy, and Doug. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10AM at St. Mary? Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Anderson Funeral Home from 4-7PM with 4PM Parish Prayers and 7PM Knights of Columbus Rosary. Entombment will be in St. Mary?s Mausoleum. Honorary Pallbearers are Lyn, Jeff, Jason, Scott, Katie, Nicole, Ryan, Brock, Kyle, Andy, Naomi, Thomas, Tabitha, Christopher, Luke, Allie, and Bailey. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net