Mary J. Leidiger

MADISON--Mary M. Leidiger, age 83, passed away on Nov. 4, 2011. She was born Oct. 1, 1928, in LaCrosse, Wis., to Lester and Nellie Cilley. She grew up in Whitewater, Wis., where she was raised by her maternal grandmother, Jessie Seymour. Mary graduated from Whitewater High School in 1946, then briefly attended LaCrosse State Teacher's College. She married Gene T. Millar in 1947 in Williams Bay, Wis., and they had a son, Mark. After that marriage ended, Mary married H. Mike Widmer in 1957. They had four children: Michael, Wendi, Jason ("Jay"), and Jill. That marriage ended in 1977. In 1982, she married J.K. "John" Leidiger, and gained a stepdaughter, Lynda. Mary had a short career in retail in the 1950s and again in the late 1970s through the '80s. She loved her work, and recalled once having Frank Lloyd Wright as a customer. Mary was devoted to her family and friends, for whom she enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing. Everything she did for them showed her creativity, talent, and thoughtfulness. She relished the annual family camping trips, in which she participated until age 81. Mary also loved to socialize. She belonged to several bridge clubs and gathered regularly with numerous friends, including a group who called themselves "The Old Broads." Every year, she had lunch with high school friends in Whitewater. Mary's neighbors were very dear to her, and she was famous for her hospitality as well as the desserts she made for their monthly block parties. She also mixed a delicious pear martini, perfect for summertime sipping on her deck, surrounded by flowers. Mary accepted the Lord at the age of 10 at Whitewater Bible Church, and attended High Point Church until recently. She was proud of her older sister Marie, who served as a medical missionary in Ethiopia for 25 years. Mary is survived by two sons, Mark (Shelly) Millar and Michael Widmer; two daughters, Wendi (Carl) Walter and Jill Wagner; a stepdaughter, Lynda Leidiger; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; her sister Grayce Stults; her sister-in-law, Beverly Cilley; and three daughters-in-law, Jackie Millar, Karen Heitke, and Darcy Widmer. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; a son, Jason ("Jay") Widmer; a grandson, Wyatt Widmer; her sister Marie; and brothers Robert, Donald, Lester Jr., and William. Mary will be deeply missed and remembered for her generous heart and tremendous, fun-loving spirit. A celebration of her life will be from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Westside Club, 437 S. Junction Rd., Madison.