Aunt Katie will be missed. She was a strong, kind, fun-loving lady who welcomed everyone with an open heart.  We enjoyed our visits with her.  She deeply cared about and loved her family often inquiring about how my parents (Edmund and her sister, Annie) were doing.  Remembering her story telling and laughter puts a smile on our faces. May the memories of your mom bring you comfort, joy, and peace.
     -Wally and Jo (Kuznia) Woehrle

Aunt Katie; Mary and I have many memories with Aunt Katie and Uncle Arnold when we lived in Soderville. Those good times at the Bellray Ballroom.  I also as a kid remember Aunt Katie and her family coming to see us on the farm, always a great time. She will truly be missed.  Gordy and Mary Kuznia


Your mom was a wonderful neighbor to our family for many years.  The pine trees she ordered, and planted, from the Sears, Roebuck, and Company over sixty years ago stand proudly today in the front yard of your childhood home.  Like her, they have weathered many storms and withstood the test of time. The trees are a reminder of your mom's strength and tenacity and I have made sure to share the story about them, and your wonderful mom, with the people currently living in the neighborhood. It is my hope they remember the stories of your feisty mom  who lived a life of faith, love, and joy when they gaze at the beauty of the trees she planted many years ago. We all loved your mom very much.

Sincerely, 
The family of Van and Marcy Kollar
(Written by Lisa Larson)

My family lived across the street from your’s on Van Buren Street in Blaine. Your Mom and mine (Marcy) enjoyed visiting and working in their yards, feeding the birds and taking in the sunshine in their retirement years. Mrs. Widstrand (we called everyone Mrs. or Mr.) always had a warm smile and wave when I visited Mom. We all missed her when she moved, but have many happy memories of the good old days growing up on the greatest street in which to be a kid.  God bless you Mrs. Widstrand...I know you’re shining bright in heaven.

Growing up, my favorite memories always revolve around camping with the Widstrand’s, Dumas’, and Benusa’s. My mom would receive a greeting from Katie and Mary in the morning with the plan for the day: antiquing or a flea market, or garage sale. Anyone that didn’t join them was sure to regret it, as something awful would be purchased for that individual and they would have to parade it around the campground for all to see. 

Campfires at night were made special by singing and telling stories. Arnold would have to count to 10 in Swedish and Katie in Polish. We never tired of hearing it and always found it a delight. Katie and Arnold were wonderful hosts, inviting us to their cabin for more fun than we could imagine. Everyone was always welcome and Katie knew how to make every moment special. 

My first memories of Katie was her smile. This woman had such joy and hospitality. Everyone felt loved and accepted with Katie. The next memory is her sewing. I remember her spreading fabric on the campsite picnic table and laying out her patterns. When I remarked how this was my least favorite part of sewing, Katie looked surprised and remarked, “ Really?! It’s my favorite. This is the time I get to know the fabric and I can see how well we will get along.” She spoke about it as if she were meeting a new friend. Ever since, whenever I sew, I always think of Katie and now cutting out is my favorite part of sewing too. 

I will miss you dear Katie!

Dear Aunt Katie, I wrote her once many years ago asking if she'd share with me about growing up in her family and things she could tell me about my father, her brother Roman, if she had any memories because shortly before he had passed away. And you know sometimes we don't get to hear things from parents that would've been fun to know. She wrote back and I will share in part her exact words of what I believe she meant  by holding in your hearts what is truly important in life.
 "God was a very important part of our life, one was to make it to mass every Sunday & holidays (weather permitting) if not, then our father would sing the high mass for all of us in Polish, a lot of great singing, I will tell you he really got our good attention when he sang the high mass all in Polish.
We did not celebrate Christmas as gift exchanging time, we celebrated Christmas as Jesus's Birthday, a time to thank him for all that he has Blessed us with." ...Let us hold in our hearts what is truly important: the gift of Jesus given to us, if only we will seek, read, and understand more about him. Thank you Aunt Katie! 

Aunt Katie will be missed dearly,she had a big heart made of gold. Our family has fond memories of her sewing. We have a cabbage patch doll &  a teddy bear made by Katie for my daughter, when she was younger.May God Bless your family. Mike & Maxine Vaneps & family 

Dear Aunt KayDee (she spelled it that way to our family) has a special place in our hearts and memory.  Always the outdoorsy Aunt, her backyard garden, cross country skiing and hikes at the lake were unique to her.  She was quick to assist in sewing or altering anything, from dolls, teddy bears, baskets, rugs, wedding dresses and veils.  Deb you have filled those shoes beautifully.  Visits with her and Uncle Arnold were always filled with stories, pictures and laughs.  Our memories of her bring smiles.  Love, Dee and Jan

Aunt Katie was certainly an aunt who I remember was beautiful inside and out.
Mother always cherished her little sister and helped care for her as a younger sibling. Katie was great to visit with and always remembered our mother when we took her to visit in her last yrs.

Katie was a wonderful aunt. I will always remember the love and enthusiasm this amazing lady had! Katie was always the one who would be cheerful, caring , and
always kind. Her presence lit up the room. God Bless the memory of Katie Widstrand. 

My entire family has so many fond memories of Katie!  It was always a delight to be able to spend the weekend camping with the Widstrand's, and to see what mischief Katie and her favorite cohort, Mary, would be up to.  I still have a birch log with a yellow ribbon around it, that made the rounds one of those weekends so long ago, as a memory of the laughter that was frequently around Katie.  Her laughter was contagious and I will remember it always.  God Bless Katie as she has found peace now, and her beloved Arnie. 

Visitation

Mass of Christian Burial

Interment

She is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents, George and Agnes (Grembowski) Woinarowicz; nine siblings, Casmer, Annie, Gertrude, Martha, Sophie, Roman, Florence, Carl and Joseph. She is survived by her children, Dennis Widstrand, Steve (Carol) Widstrand, Peter (Linda) Widstrand and Deborah (Mark) Small; grandchildren, Matthew, Andrea, Ray, Alice and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Josie, Aiden, Wyatt, Emma, Alexandra and Alyssa.

OBITUARY

Katherine Lucy Widstrand

15 March, 1926 – 17 March, 2021

Gearhart Funeral Home

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