Nona Widner

Nona M. Widner

1930 – 2025

Nona was born May 23, 1930 in Nampa, Idaho to Walter and Stella Smith. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, February 24 in Boise, Idaho.

Nona spent her early years in Nampa until her family moved to Cambridge, Idaho. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1948, and on June 12 she married the love of her life, Kenneth Widner.

Shortly after starting their life together, Kenny contracted rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to work. He received successful treatment, and they moved to Boise so Kenny could start work as a carpenter, and Nona went to work at Sears. Then, in 1952, Kenny was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After Kenny finished basic training, Nona moved to California to be with him while he prepared to be deployed overseas. During this time, Kenny and Nona made several lifelong friends. They exchanged Christmas cards with a couple that lived in South Carolina for over 60 years. Due to the rigorous training, Kenny’s arthritis flared up and he was medically discharged in December 1952, and they moved back to Boise.

Nona and Kenny started their family with the birth of their daughter Claudia on Kenny’s 28th birthday, June 7, 1956. About 2 years later their son Roger was born, and in 1960, the family moved into the home that Nona lived in for the rest of her life.

Nona dedicated her life to her family and her home. She also had a large circle of friends including her neighbors, bowling league teammates, and especially her card club girls. As her children grew, there was always a summer vacation which included trips to the Oregon coast to visit her extended family, week-long camping trips in the Idaho mountains, and first visits to Disneyland and other attractions throughout the western US.

After her children left home and Kenny transitioned to semi-retirement, Nona and Kenny enjoyed taking trips in their travel trailer throughout the western States. They particularly enjoyed a trip through Wyoming, Montana and into South Dakota to visit the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. They also loved the annual family camping trip to Bull Trout Lake on Labor Day weekend. Nona’s family all enjoyed many wonderful memories and experiences together and with friends on those trips and looked forward to it every year.

After Kenny passed in 1996, Nona started volunteering at a local school helping young students improve their reading skills, something she found very rewarding. She also travelled with her daughter and loved visiting with her family and neighbors. Nona was a great cook and her cookies, cakes, and Christmas treats were treasured by her family and friends.

Nona is survived by her daughter Claudia Kloss (Rick), her son Roger Widner (Sandra), her younger brother Eddy Smith (Donna), her grandsons James and Justin Widner (Christina), step-grandson Jeremy Hobbs, her great grandchildren Azura, Corbin, Aiden, and Kellan, her great, great grandson Kingston, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenny, her brother and sister in law, Burt and LaRene Smith, parents Walter and Stella Smith, and daughter in law Sherry Widner.

Nona was a loving and joyful person, and always greeted her family, friends, neighbors, and everyone she met with a smile and a warm welcome to visit. She will be greatly missed by many.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2:00pm at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make a donation to your favorite charity.