Marian Wideman, 93, died peacefully on June 22, 2026. Marian was born on July 7, 1932, in Rush Tower, (Jefferson County) Missouri to Milton and Gertrude (Windes) Kiepe. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Rush Tower for eight years before graduating from Festus High School in 1950.

Marian grew up on the family farm where she split her time between playing with dolls and fighting with the boys. She often bragged about harassing the bulls to get them to chase her, so she could try to outrun them. For several years, she would catch the train in Rush Tower to take her to Festus for piano lessons.

While in high school, Marian met the love of her life, Don Wideman, at a young people’s “Singspiration” at Zion Methodist Church in Mapaville, Missouri. Shortly after, Marian began playing the accordion in a gospel singing group that Don had founded and led called the Gospel Union Band. It was a group of 20-plus local young people who traveled throughout the region performing gospel music in churches and on the radio.

Marian and Don married on January 27, 1951, and moved to Hematite, Missouri. While Don began his education to prepare for ministry, Marian worked to support their growing family. Soon, they welcomed their four children: David Mark, Katheryn Elizabeth, Thomas Wayne and Rebecca Jo.

More schooling for Don led the family to move from the St. Louis area to Liberty, Missouri, to attend seminary in Kansas City. Marian continued to work outside the home while also signing up to be room mother for all four of her children, Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, church secretary, church organist, choir member and soloist. With her busy schedule, she still made time to prepare a wonderful home-cooked meal every evening so her family could all come together around the table. She was known for wonderful baked goods and could throw together a feast of cheese and crackers for impromptu Sunday night fellowships.

Finally, in 1980, she was able to retire from the work force and give her full attention to being a grandma and a pastor’s wife in which she excelled at both. When Don became the Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention in Jefferson City, Missouri, Marian found herself hosting many events and social gatherings. She also began a ministry entitled “Angels on Mission” where she made and sold angel pins with all proceeds going to an orphanage in Belarus totaling over $14,000.

After Don’s retirement, the couple moved back to Liberty to enjoy travel and spending time with family. Eventually, they made their final move to McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff in 2017 where they made many new friends while enjoying the activities and amenities that the retirement community offered. While living at McCrite, Marian became well-known for her annual blue-ribbon pies.

Marian is preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Gertrude (Windes) Kiepe of Rush Tower, Missouri, and her husband, Donald Wideman of Kansas City, Missouri.

Marian is survived by her son, David (Jenna) Wideman of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter, Kathy (Alan) Mazi of Liberty, Missouri; son, Tom (Sally) Wideman of North Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Becky (Brian) Holt of Lawrence, Kansas; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren (and three on the way); and her three siblings, Glenn Kiepe, Elizabeth Ridings and Charles Kiepe, all of Rush Tower, Missouri.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Park Lawn Funeral Home in Liberty, Missouri, with the burial to follow at Glenridge Cemetery. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marian’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Marian’s memory to Kansas City Hospice at KCHospice.org.

The family would like to thank the staff at McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff and NorthCare Hospice House for their care and dedication.