Elsie Marie Widdel

1932 - 2025

Elsie Marie Mixdorf Widdel

December 17, 1932 - February 20, 2025

Elsie Marie Mixdorf Widdel, 92, of Denver, Iowa, died peacefully at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community on Thursday, February 20, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born on December 17, 1932, in Black Hawk County, Elsie was the fifth of six children born to Bernhard and Carolina Mixdorf. She was baptized January 1, 1933, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa. She attended country school in rural Dunkerton through 7th grade, then transferred to Immanuel Lutheran School, Waterloo, for 8th grade where she completed Confirmation classes and was confirmed on April 14, 1946. She attended and graduated from Dunkerton High School. Following graduation she worked at McGregor Furniture store in Waterloo.

Elsie was introduced to Marvin Widdel by life-long friends Melvin and Janola Hesse. Elsie and Marvin married on August 26, 1951, and then moved onto the Widdel family farm, near Denver. They had three children, Kathy, Donna, and Mark. Besides helping with the farm, Elsie babysat, worked at Jo's Thread & Thimble in Fairbank, Petersen & Tietz Greenhouse in Waterloo, and Buhrow's Floors & More in Denver.

She was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Klinger, Iowa, and a life-long member of LWML. She was also an active member of the Denver Sunset Home Auxiliary. She was known throughout the area as a gifted and prolific quilter, winning various awards at area quilt shows. She won "Viewer's Choice" at the National Cattle Congress in 1991. As she aged, her quilts became smaller. She made and donated over 100 lap quilts to various non-profit organizations until she turned 90. She also loved to play cards, especially 500, with anyone who had a free afternoon or evening.

Elsie is survived by her children: Kathy Kuecker (Roger) of Middleton, Wis., Donna Raedeke of Clive, Iowa, and Mark Widdel (Teddy) of Denver, Iowa; also seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Elsie is preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Martin and Reuben; and sisters, Ruth, Regina, and LaRee.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Klinger, with Pastor Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano officiating. Visitation will be Friday, February 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Denver, Iowa, and at the church for an hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday morning. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. Online condolences may be left at kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Denver is in charge of arrangements. 319-984-5379 www.kaisercorson.com.