Olga Widmayer

Olga Edna Widmayer, 98, of Pickford, formerly of Chelsea, was a teacher in one-room schoolhouses in Washtenaw County, and had a farm near Chelsea. Mrs. Widmayer died Wednesday, October 31, 2007, at her home with her family at her side.

She was born December 10, 1908, in Sharon Township to Samuel and Flora (nee Haeussler) Heselschwerdt.

She spent the first 72 years of her life in the Chelsea area. She grew up in Sharon Township and attended Manchester High School, and then Eastern Michigan University, where she earned her teaching certificate.

She taught in one room-schoolhouses in Washtenaw County for several years. She and her husband, Harold Widmayer, lived on a farm near Chelsea, where they had large gardens of vegetables and berries, as well as apple and pear trees.

In 1980, after her husband's death, she moved to Pickford to be near her daughter. She was a member of the Covenant Church in Chelsea and attended the Pickford Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Widmayer enjoyed reading newspapers and magazines, playing cards, feeding and watching birds, and most of all, spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Johnson of Pickford, and close family members Gloria Johnson of St. Ignace and Daniel Johnson of Pickford. Also surviving are stepgrandchildren and their families, Rick and Sandy Johnson, Kay and Jerry Stephens, and Stephenie and Ernest Podoba; her great-grandchildren and their families, Denice Kading, Diane and Peter Donofrio, Michelle and Keith Hoolsema, David and Kathy Johnson, and Marcy Johnson; and great-greatgrandchildren, Elizabeth, Ashleigh, Danny, Brandon, MaKena, and Carver Johnson, Stephanie Kading, Timothy Podoba, Jessica and Ryan Lake, and David, Gabrial, and Christopher Johnson.

Mrs. Widmayer was preceded in death by her husband, Harold B. Widmayer; a son-in-law, Richard C. Johnson, and a great-grandson, Del Johnson.

Visitation was held Sunday, November 4, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford and Monday, November 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Covenant Church in Chelsea. Services followed at 3 p.m. at the church with the Reverend Anthony Dickerson. Burial was in Maple Grove/Sylvan Center Cemetery in Washtenaw County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Church, 50 North Freer Road, Chelsea, Michigan 48118, or Pickford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 266, Pickford, Michigan 49774.