Alma Elizabeth Widdis

Longtime Fairbanks resident Alma Elizabeth Morton Widdis died June 6, 2012, at Denali Center at age 86.
Born Aug. 18, 1925, in Chicago, Ill., the second of three children, Alma grew up in Muskegon, Mich. A sun and beach lover from a young age, she enjoyed the summer shores of Lake Michigan. After high school and working for a few years, she and a couple of girlfriends headed for the golden beaches of California and jobs on the West Coast. One day at the beach in the summer of 1947, she met a handsome young Marine, Duane Widdis, who was stationed at Oceanside. Not long thereafter, she and Duane were married. After his discharge, Duane trained for the FAA and took an assignment in Fairbanks. Alma arrived in 1951 with young Jonathan in tow.
Alma always thought of herself as a "city girl," but happily helped Duane in building a home on Dale Road and a cabin on the Salcha River. Later, they built a home in Vue Crest and another beautiful log cabin on the Salcha. In the 1980s and early '90s, they lived a "Bush" lifestyle on the Salcha, sharing the family traditions with their three grandchildren and hosting friends and family at the cabin.
Alma's life included much travel - from a Cessna 180 trip to Mexico in the 1960s to many winters motorhoming to beaches in Mexico, and in the last 10 years, wintering in Yuma, Ariz. She was a member of the Pioneer Women of Alaska and modeled at the Women's Tea several years ago.
Alma is survived by her husband of 65 years, Duane (Dewey); children Jonathan, Sandy and Craig; daughter-in-law Claudia Van Emmerik Widdis; grandchildren Robert, Rick and Lisa Phillips and Nicky Widdis; and four great-granddaughters Kylie, Korie, Alexa and Jillian.
Alma had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. She will be missed.
She will be cremated and no services are scheduled, per her wishes. The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association Alaska Chapter at P.O. Box 72791, Fairbanks, AK, 99701.
The family extends their gratitude to the nurses and staff of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Denali Center for their care in her last days.