Earl J. Widhalm, 99 years, 9 months, 10 days, of Columbus, Nebraska, (formerly of Cornlea, Nebraska) died Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, October 27 at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey, Nebraska, with Fr. Stan Schmit celebrating the Mass.  Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cornlea.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM, with a 6:30 PM vigil service at the church.  Visitation will continue Friday from 9:00 AM until service time, also at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the wishes of the family.  The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Earl John Widhalm was born January 11, 1924, along with his twin sister Pearl, to Jacob and Katherine (Zuerlein) Widhalm in the "birthing room" on the family farm by Cornlea.  When anyone asked Earl who was born first, Earl would say, "Pearl, I'm polite, so I let the ladies go first".  He was the 13th of 14 children.

Earl was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cornlea and attended Sacred Heart School.  He remained living in the home he was born in until November 2016, when he moved to Columbus to live with his daughter and son-in-law but was at the farm as much as he could be, even after selling the house and acreage, Earl remained a welcome sight.

Earl was united in marriage to Edna Matilda Sliva on January 27, 1948.  Together they raised their 12 children in the same house that Earl was born in.  Earl farmed and helped Edna run E & E Upholstery for 28 years.  Edna passed away on August 23, 2007, after 59 years, 6 months and 23 days of marriage.  After Edna's death, Earl's garden grew to over 7000 sq.ft.  He took pride in his garden and canning tomato juice.  He shared the bounty of his garden with family and friends.  Earl continued to garden after moving to Columbus, on a smaller scale, but still with plenty of produce to share.  He just finished canning 303 quarts of tomato juice.

Earl enjoyed Husker football and volleyball, crossword puzzles, and was always telling jokes or stories.  He had a strong Christian faith and would not start his day without praying the rosary and attending daily Mass.  Earl loved spending time with his family and friends, playing sheepshead with the Cornlea neighbors for 30+ years, and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, there were no strangers, just people you had not met yet.  Earl would always say "Come back anytime. I'm always home unless I am gone."

Earl is survived by:
Son – Dean (Debbie) Widhalm of Trophy Club, TX
Daughter – Shirley Johnson of Bellwood, NE
Daughter – Joyce (Jerome) Navrkal of Schuyler, NE
Son – Dale (Brenda) Widhalm of Cheyenne, WY
Son- Glen Widhalm of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Beverly (Gary) Frahn of Yukon, OK
Son – Roger Widhalm of Newman Grove, NE
Daughter – Sharon (Tom) Brandl of Monroe, NE
Son – Gordon (Georgina) Widhalm of Columbus, NE
Son – Rodney (Christine) Widhalm of Columbus, NE
Son – Kevin (Rita) Widhalm of Cornlea, NE
Daughter – Bonnie (Terry) Smith of Columbus, NE
28 Grandchildren
62 Great Grandchildren
6 Great-Great Grandchildren
Sister-in-law – Mary Krist
Sister-in-law – Annette Sliva
Sister-in-law – Sylvia Sliva
Brother-in-law – Bill Dusek

Earl was preceded in death by:
Parents – Jacob and Katherine Widhalm
Spouse – Edna Matilda Widhalm
Grandson - Blake Widhalm
Granddaughter - Nicole Johnson-Hamling
Great Grandson – Christopher D. Johnson
Brothers – George (Cyrilla), Matt (Loretta), Andy (Lou), Alfred (Ceil), Paul (Evonne), and Walt (Bertha) Widhalm
Sisters – Catherine (James) Connelly, Elizabeth (Frank) Connelly, Barbara (Joe) Sindelar, Ella (George) Ternus, Hilda (Ted) Cremer (Ed) Keimig, Sister Ethel "Beatine" Widhalm, and twin sister Pearl (John) Ghekiere
Parents-in-law – Joseph and Frances Sliva