Fred H. Widau
April 1, 1921 – March 22,2020
OVERBROOK — Fred H. Widau, Overbrook, formerly of Burlingame, died Sunday, March 22, 2020, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. He was 98.
He was born April 1, 1921, on a farm home, near Carbondale, the son of Charles Henry and Mary Frances Carls Widau. He later graduated from Carbondale High School in 1939.
Fred married Georgia Ruth Montgomery Nov. 4, 1945, at the Montgomery family farm home, near Burlingame. She preceded him in death.
Soon after his marriage, he started work as a farmhand for the Columbian Hog and Cattle Powder Company at their farm, in Salem, Neb. Four years later he was promoted and assigned as manager of the Columbian Stock Farm, near Grandview, Mo. In 1966, he was reassigned as manager when Columbian purchased the former Southerland Ranch in southern Johnson County. After retiring from Columbian, he worked for several years as a livestock manager for the Myers Turf Farm.
Fred and Georgia finally returned to Burlingame to spend their remaining retirement years. Circumstances later required them to move into Brookside Retirement Community, where Fred resided until his passing.
Known as “Fritz” by most people, Fred will be remembered for his wry sense of humor and exceptional work ethic. Even in retirement, his preferred activities were painting the house and mowing the yard.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters and a daughter, Linda Aubrey.
He is survived by a son, Stanly Widau and wife, Linda, Lake Waukomis, Mo.; three granddaughters, Laura Szostak and husband, Johnny, Colorado Springs, Colo., Stephanie Larkin and husband, Brian, Kansas City, Mo., and Elizabeth Buck, Harrodsburg, Ky.; and five great-grandchildren.
He was cremated. No services are planned at this time.
Special thanks to Fred’s “other family”, the amazing people at the Brookside Retirement Community for ensuring Fred’s safety and comfort during his last years.
