Thomas Vernon Widner

Thomas Vernon Widner, 85, of La Crosse, died at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse, on Sunday, September 18, 2016. Tom was born on May 18, 1931 and was adopted by Ralph and Pearl (Knisely) Widner of Wichita, Kansas. He married Marguerite Schuetze of La Crosse on December 9, 1950. Tom graduated high school in 1949 from Ponca Military Academy, Ponca City, Oklahoma and attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, the University of Kansas in Wichita, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Tom was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Navy serving aboard the missile ship USS Norton Sound stationed at Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA.
Tom had a lifelong career in the electronics industry working for Trane Company and Dairyland Power of La Crosse. He later owned and operated his own business, Widner Communications of Key West, Florida. Tom was a member of Rotary International, Master of Arms in Key West, Florida. In the La Crosse area he was a member of the Photography Club and served on the recreation committee of the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce. He was the founder and Boy Scoutmaster of Troop 21 of Brice Prairie and a member of the Brice Prairie Conservation Association. Tom belonged to the YMCA and became a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed many years as an amateur ham radio operator W5FHP.
Tom is survived by his wife Marguerite, three children, Michael (Susan) of Boscobel, WI, Mark (Lynne) of Anoka, MN, and Patricia (David) Spaulding of Eau Claire, WI, grandchildren, Elissa Spaulding of Eau Claire, Katherine (Matthew) Muelling of Kodiak, AK, Andrew (Stephanie) Spaulding of Fort Belvoir, VA, JoAnne (Jason) Cannon of Edmond, OK, Travis Widner and Neva Ann Widner of Duluth, MN, Jennifer Widner of Sun Prairie, WI, and Lizzie Remrey of Boscobel, WI, several great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Erika (Richard) Hengel of La Crosse. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter Amy Widner.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse, 200 West Avenue South, with Major Jeffrey Richardson officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. A family graveside service will be held in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army of La Crosse and Hillview Health Care Center. The family would like to thank Hillview for their many years of dedication and excellent care.