04/27/2026
Janet Kay Toellner Widner, 76, of Lone Elm, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Katy Manor in Pilot Grove, surrounded by her loved ones.
Janet was born September 5, 1949, at St. Joseph Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, the daughter of Herbert and Dorothy (Kirchner) Toellner. Later that year, she was baptized at her home on September 28 and confirmed May 12, 1963. Her sponsors were William Toellner and Nora “Bun” Kirchner Siedenburg. Janet grew up on her family’s century-old farm in Lone Elm, Missouri alongside her three little sisters, Laverne, Alice and Julie. Life on the farm shaped her strong work ethic and generous spirit, as she worked alongside her family milking cows and gardening.
Janet attended Zion Lutheran School in Lone Elm through eighth grade and graduated from Bunceton High School in 1967. That same year, on August 5, she married her childhood sweetheart, Lee Roy Widner, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lone Elm. Their marriage was a true partnership that spanned 52 years, filled with love, devotion, and shared purpose. During Lee’s service in the United States Army, the couple lived in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After Lee’s four years of service, they returned home, where they raised their 2 children, Melissa Elizabeth and Timothy Carl William.
Janet devoted her life to her family, her church, and her community. In her early years, she was a babysitter and worked at Zion Lutheran School as a reading tutor and bus driver, sharing her passion for helping children learn and grow. She later returned to her beloved Bunceton School as a paraprofessional and then as the school secretary for many years, retiring in 2010 to care for Lee. In her time at the school, she wore many hats - including lunch lady, cheerleading coach, class sponsor, and proud Booster Club member – and was a steady, caring presence for generations of students. She was especially proud of the class she sponsored, which raised enough money through firewood sales to travel to Hawaii.
Her faith was central to her life. Janet was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lone Elm, where she served as a youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, and Altar Guild member. She was also actively involved as a P.T.L. officer and could often be found cheering on her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, keeping score at ballgames and supporting every activity they pursued.
Janet is proof that a Tootsie Roll, some Smarties candies, and the best hug in the world could solve any problems. She had the kindest, sweetest soul and a laugh that you would recognize from miles away. She loved everyone, she knew no strangers, and she made sure every person, student, family member, and stranger felt loved and included.
She never said “no,” even when Mom or Dad did. She had a lap that held babies, pets, grandchildren, and even her grown children, nieces and nephews. Janet truly loved and adored her family. There were cards sent for every birthday, anniversary, or just simply because she wanted you to know you were loved. You knew you had “made it” in the world when you measured yourself up to her and realized you were finally taller than she was… and she would just laugh and squeeze you so tight as you marked exactly how tall you had gotten on her kitchen wall. And while many of us grew to be taller than Janet, we can only hope that one day we will measure up to be even half the woman she was. Her legacy of kindness, joy, faith, and unconditional love will live on in the
hearts of her family and community. As she entered the gates of Heaven, she was most certainly, greeted with warm embraces from her loved ones as Elvis sang in the background.
She will be remembered and forever missed by her children, Melissa (John) Siegel of Versailles and Tim (Dana) Widner of Boonville; her cherished grandchildren, Ethan Siegel, Isabella Widner, Weston Widner, Dylon (Skyler) Custer, Hayden (Katrina) Oser, Halei (Jeremiah) Oser, and Havanna Pinkett; her six great-grandchildren; her three sisters, Nora “Laverne” (Robert) McKee, Alice Simmons, and Julia (Stephen) Nappier; her brothers-in-law, Mark Widner and Dean (Lisa) Widner; her sisters-in-law, Judy Widner – Jefferson City, Judy Widner – St. Joseph; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and goddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lee Roy Widner; her parents, Herbert and Dorothy Toellner; her in-laws, Howard and Anna Widner; her beloved Aunt Mildred Twillman Nieman; her sisters-in-law, Betty Widner and Anne Kempf; her brothers-in-law, Hugh Widner, Jerry Widner, Fred Kempf, Ralph Widner, and William Simmons.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Howard Funeral Home in Boonville. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Zion Lutheran School in Lone Elm, with the burial of her ashes to follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bunceton School Alumni Association or Zion Lutheran School.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard-Millard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, MO 65233, (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.
