Retired CMSGT Raymond E. Widner , 83, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2015, in Tucson, Arizona.

Raymond was born to Otto and Carrie Widner on May 7, 1932 in Vernon County, Wisconsin. After graduating from Westby High School, Raymond served 22 years in the United States Air Force as a gunner and missile system analyst for the 44th Strategic Missile Wing (SAC); later as manager of the NCO Club. He was stationed in Utah, Denver, Germany and his final assignment for 13 years at Ellsworth AFB. As a young airman, Raymond survived a military B29 plane crash while stationed at Lowry AFB. His luck flourished when he met his wife Edith 2 months later – a marriage that lasted 62 years!

Raymond enjoyed a second career at MPI (Magnetic Peripherals Inc.) which is formerly Control Data from 1973 to 1990 as the Plant Operations Manager. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Business from Black Hills State College in May 1979. Raymond was also known in the community as a football referee for many years. He and his wife Edith were active members of the Rapid City Gun Club, a passion that he held for all of his days.

Survivors include his wife, Edith Widner, seven children including Lauren Widner, Roger Widner (wife Debe), Steven Widner (wife Judy), Jana Clements (husband Carl), Julie Martin (husband Andrew), Brian Widner (wife Laurel), Patrick (Holly Smith) Widner; his brother Ralph Widner (age 97) of Westby Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren (Kristi, Caren, Kayla, Mandy, Brandon, Deanna, Andrea, Carly, Kyle, Rachel, Sheila, Ray, Jesse) and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

Visitation will be Sunday November 29th at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 6pm with Christian wake service with rosary recitation at 7pm.

A Christian funeral mass will be offered on Monday November 30th at 10am at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Rev. Michel Mulloy presiding.

Burial, with military honors rendered by Ellsworth Air Force Base Honors Team will be at 12 Noon at Black Hills Cemetery. The family invites our friends to a luncheon reception around 1pm at the Cathedral.