Dale E. Widmer, 92, of Kalona, formerly of Wayland, passed peacefully, surrounded by his children on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona. His body was cremated, and a memorial service will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church in Wayland. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Facebook and Youtube pages. A burial will follow at the Sugar Creek Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Sugar Creek Cemetery. The Beatty Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Dale Eugene Widmer was born Feb. 24, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Daniel G. and Viola (Wyse) Widmer. After graduating from Wayland High School, he served in 1W Service in Ypsilanti, Michigan for two years.
On Feb. 5, 1965, he was united in marriage to Geraldine “Gerry” Gnagey at First Mennonite Church in Iowa City.
Dale was a farmer all his life and was a member of the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church and the Wayland Area Tractor Club. He enjoyed collecting farm machinery, cast iron implement seats, toy tractors, fruit jars and coins.
Survivors include three children: Sheryl (Randy) Hoyt of Kalona, Julia (Larry) Miller of Frytown, Monte Widmer of Riverside; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Widmer of Washington, Martha Widmer of Wayland, Alta Widmer of Williamsburg, and Phyllis (Don) Headrick of Johnston; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Preceding Dale in death were his parents; his wife: Gerry; son-in-law: Jeff Schlabach; great-grandson: Rhett Schlabach; eight brothers: Galen, Clayton, Clinton, George, Willard, Wesley, Stanley and Blaine; one sister: Vernelda Slagel; two sisters-in-law: Mary Lois Widmer and Marie Widmer; and one brother-in-law: Warren Slagel.
