The sad news reached Blair last Friday of the death of Frank Widener of Kennard at his home on the farm three miles west of that place.

Mr. Widener had been suffering for several months with a nervous breakdown and a mania to take his own life. His wife had died last August, and he had brooded over his sorrow until it was more than he could bear. Relatives took him to a private sanitarium at Lincoln where he seemed to be improving, and he was brought home the latter part of last week, but the mania to destroy himself returned and he took his life early Friday morning in spite of the constant watchfulness of his relatives.

The deceased was past fifty two years of age, and leaves seven children to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father, also nine brothers and one sister, besides an aged father who could not be present at the funeral services on account of his extreme age.

The children’s ages range from twenty three years down to seven in the following order: Wallace, Ralph, Leonard, Margaret, Helen, Chester and Vera who have the sincere sympathy of the community in their great bereavement. The older ones assert that they will stay on the farm and take car of the younger children and make a home for them as best they can which is very commendable and a worthy ambition.

Mr. Widener was a member of the M.W.A. of Kennard. Funeral services were held from the Kennard Methodist church at 2 p.m. last Sunday, Feb. 27, and interment made in the local cemetery.

#2-3 Mar., 1921 - The Tribune - Frank N. Widener

Frank Widener, who has been mentally deranged for some time, committed suicide at his home early Friday morning. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Thos. Bethel of Omaha conducting the services. The deceased leaves several children, a father and six brothers, besides other relatives and a host of friends. Interment was made in the Kennard cemetery beside his wife, who died several months ago. We extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #26513939