Helen Widdowson

Helen (Kappius) Widdowson passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be at 11 AM Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Shelton United Methodist Church with Pastor Michelle Byerly officiating. Burial will follow in the Shelton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shelton United Methodist Church. Cards may be sent to the family at 3747 Chesapeake Lane, Naperville, IL 60564.



Helen was born on March 13, 1931 on the farm south of Shelton, NE to Charles and Josephine (Picard) Kappius. She attended various schools in Montana and Iowa before moving back to Shelton in 1942. She was a 1948 graduate of Shelton High School.



Helen married George Widdowson on August 21, 1951 in Council Bluffs, IA. Helen and George spent 39 years of their married life on the Widdowson farm. Helen and her friend, Kathleen Lowe, started a business painting barns. This business later developed into a successful interior painting and wallpaper business for over 20 years. Helen and George moved to Shelton, NE on November 6, 1990, where they resided until their death.



She loved to sing and was a choir director and soloist at the Shelton Methodist Church for many years. Helen was also very involved in the community in various clubs and social activities.



Survivors include sons, Richard (Susan) Widdowson of Naperville, IL, Thomas (Mary) Widdowson of Kearney, NE; daughter, Jenny Watzke of Bennington, NE; nine grandchildren: Heath Widdowson, Katrina Johnson, Stacy (Arnold) Diaz, Andy Widdowson, James (Katherine) Mussman, Porscha Botak-Widdowson, Brittany Botak-Widdowson, Kevin Mussman, and Colin Watzke; eight great grandchildren and her sisters-in-law, Joyce Martin of Fort Collins, CO. and Claudine Kappius of Denver, CO.



She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; brother, Robert and sister Patricia.