Ellinwood–Bernice Percilla Widener, 93, of Hudson, died September 10, 2015 in Ellinwood. She was born on November 8, 1921 in rural Prairie View, the daughter of Henry J. and Della (Kolste) DeYoung.
The family moved to Palco, Kansas where Bernice graduated from Palco High School. She later attended Fort Hays State University where she obtained her two-year teaching certificate, after which she taught all eight grades for one year at a one-room country school in Stafford County.
On May 11, 1943 Bernice married Austin C. Widener of Hudson, at her family’s rural Palco home. After Austin’s discharge from the Army, the couple moved to the Widener family home in rural Hudson. She settled into her life as a mother, homemaker, and a farmer’s wife. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ellinwood, where she served her church in many capacities throughout the years.
Surviving family members include her children, Austin Lee Widener (Betty) of Ellinwood, Keith L. Widener (LaDonna) of Hudson, Monte Widener (Rachelle) of Ellinwood, and Gayla Asher (Don) Ellinwood; her nine grandchildren; her 14 great-grandchildren; her siblings Milfred DeYoung (Jean) of Palco, Verda Guthrie of Great Bend, and Ila Parr of Great Bend; two sisters-in-law, Violet (Widener) Kasselman of Ellinwood, and Juanita Widener of Lamar, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who passed away on October 14, 2000, her parents, and two brothers, Stanley and Calvin DeYoung.
Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, at the First Baptist Church south of Ellinwood, 503A SE 110 Avenue, Ellinwood, with Pastor David Wesner presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from 1-7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m., at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church Missions and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Funeral Arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel*
PO box 246
Ellinwood, KS 67526