Doris Widstrand

Doris M. Widstrand, 80, of Woodruff, WI, died peacefully on February 5, 2011 at the Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff. In spite of the serious challenge posed by cancer over the course of this past year, she did not allow illness to prevent her from sharing in many joyous occasions with her family. Doris was born February 11, 1930 to Lee and Grace (Long) Muller of La Farge, Wisconsin. She graduated from La Farge High School in 1948, and was united in marriage to Arnott Widstrand, Jr. on October 2, 1948. They published the La Farge Enterprise, a weekly newspaper, until June of 1973. In 1973, they moved to Woodruff, Wisconsin where Arnie worked for the Lakeland Times and Doris worked at Rocking Horse Daycare and Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk School as a teaching assistant. Doris’s greatest joy in life was her family with Arnie and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended and supported their activities, whether it was sports, music, forensics, or academics. Even after her cancer was well advanced, she enjoyed her grandchildren’s weddings, new babies, graduations, concerts and performances. Everyone loved to gather at Grandma Doris’s house to enjoy the special traditions at Christmas, the winter cross-country skiing that she loved, or the summer picnics, boating, and swimming at the lake. Besides her family, she enjoyed spending time with her friends from church, her walking group, birthday club, and Curves Niners. She was active in her church and was an active Hospice Volunteer. Doris also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, visiting destinations coast to coast as well as Canada, Hawaii, and England. She had a positive outlook on life, was loved by many, and will be greatly missed. Survivors include six daughters, Tonra (Carl) Degner of Wonewoc, Sarah (Phil) Gudgeon of Viroqua, Margie (Bill) Frankenberger of Eau Claire, Hulda (Allan) Beilke of Wausau, Bridget (Tim) Hill of La Crosse, Rosalie Widstrand of Crivitz, and two sons, Simon (Tere) Widstrand of Madison, and Chris (Cindy) Widstrand of Eau Claire, 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Nellie Muller of La Farge, sister-in-law Elaine (Widstrand) Gudgeon of Merrill, brother-in-law John (Phyllis) Widstrand of Cedarburg, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Lee in 1934, mother Grace in 1974, husband Arnie in 1997, her brothers, Dale and Don Muller, sister-in-law Freda Muller, and brother-in-law Charlie Gudgeon. Doris’s family would like to thank all of the medical staff in Minocqua and Marshfield who cared for her with a special thank you to everyone at Seasons of Life Hospice House. As requested by Doris, a Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of the Pines in Minocqua, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the La Farge Alumni Scholarship program, the Methodist Church, or to your local Hospice program.

Doris Widstrand

February 11, 1930 - February 5, 2011