Kathryn Widder's Obituary
Kathryn Horner Widder of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 in Fayetteville. She was a vibrant 96 years old. Kathryn was born January 4, 1925 at the family home in Weiser, Idaho. Her parents were Maude Kathryn (Board) and Elijah Whitt Horner, who together with her husband, Roger Henry Widder, preceded her in death.
She began playing the violin at age five and continued for 85 years to age 90. As valedictorian of Weiser High School she graduated in 1942 and matriculated to the University of Idaho where she studied music and pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. There she played in the orchestra and band where she met a young soldier, Roger Henry Widder, whom the army had sent to the university to study German language They were married at the bride’s home in Weiser on September 24, 1944. Subsequently the army took them to Neosho, Missouri, Battle Creek, Michigan and finally Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. Following discharge from the army, they lived in Evanston, Illinois and Stillwater, Oklahoma before settling in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1949 where Roger was a member of the music department at the University of Arkansas. She was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville for the rest of her life.
She remained in Fayetteville for the rest of her life. The early years included her musical life playing viola, participating in alumnae chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Most important to her was the rearing of four sons—a very challenging task! As a family they enjoyed great camping trips and travel throughout North America and eventually Europe and residence in Switzerland.
In 1968 she returned to college to study music at the University of Arkansas. This was at the same time that her second son was in many of the same classes! She graduated in 1973 and taught string classes in the Fayetteville schools until retiring in 1986.
During these years she was very active in Chapter K of PEO for over 75 years, book clubs, bridge clubs and developed a serious interest in genealogy. She and Roger traveled the country and the world seeking genealogy information often in conjunction with conferences and workshops in historically informed musical performance practice.
This led to years of performances with the Arkansas Early Music Players. Genealogy also led to her involvement with the Daughters of the American Colonists. While on one of these trips, as the only non-fisherman in the family, she caught a flesh-eating piranha in the Amazon river!
Following Roger’s death in 2017 she moved to Butterfield Trail Village and continued a life of attending musical performance, Broadway shows and enjoying friends until the last months of her life. Great life to 96!
Kathryn Horner Widder is survived by sons David and wife Cheryl of Blacksburg, Virginia, Stephen and wife Wendy of Neosho, Missouri, Mark and wife Carol of Fayetteville and John and wife Livona of Elkins to whom the family offers special thanks for their help with our Muti during her last years. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren
Visitation will be 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday November 8, 2021 at Moore’s Chapel with the funeral service to follow beginning at 12:30 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 East Longview Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703. The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Willard Walker Hospice Home for their loving care in our mother’s final days.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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