Edith Marks Widstrom

Edith Marks Widstrom, 91, formerly of Lake Park, passed away Monday, December 17, 2012 at the Wealshire of Bloomington in Bloomington, Minnesota Edith was born August 9, 1921 at Sunnyside farm near Lake Park, Iowa to Dr. Wilford H. Marks and Julia (Rusch) Marks. She graduated from Iowa State University and became a registered dietician. Her early career in dietetics included stints at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Iowa State University. Edith married R. Bruce Widstrom in 1950 and the couple raised their family in Omaha, Nebraska. Always a devoted mother Edith shared her passion for learning, nature and the arts with her children. She enjoyed the Joslyn Art Museum and serving at Fontenelle Nature Center. When her children were older, Edith balanced family life and a career managing the cafeteria at Omaha South High School. Edith later served as a dietician at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa before retiring to Saint Louis Park, Minnesota and later The Ponds care facility in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Throughout her life Edith was an active participant in the life, worship and service of local Methodist or Congregational churches. Surviving are her children Dana Widstrom (Lisa Bjerken) of Edina, MN, Ruth Widstrom (Dean Guzlas) of Lake Forest, IL, and Rich Widstrom (Barb) of Austin, TX; ten grandchildren Miles Widstrom (Sarah Valenziano), Julia Duffy (Devin), Paul Widstrom (Maddy), Reidar Widstrom, Marki Guzlas, Kelly Guzlas, Peter Guzlas, Kyle Widstrom, Brice Widstrom and Dan Widstrom; great-grandchild Max Widstrom; and sister Ruth Ketelsen McLarnan of Sioux City, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, and her brothers Dana, Morris (who died in WW II) and Warren. Memorial Service at the United Methodist Church of Lake Park, Iowa on December 19, 2012 at 1:30pm. Interment at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park, Iowa. Memorials to United Methodist Church of Lake Park, Iowa or Good Samaritan United Methodist Church of Edina, Minnesota.