Zelma "Louise" Wideman-Kampmann

***** VISITATION AND FUNERAL POSTPONED ***** ***** VISITATION MON. 9/14/20 4:00PM ***** ***** FUNERAL TUES. TUES. 9/15/20 11:00AM ***** Zelma “Louise” Wideman-Kampman (nee Mathes) was born on July 11, 1943 in Buick, MO and passed away on September 3, 2020 after contracting Covid-19. Louise was the loving wife to Vernon Kampmann and the late Clifford Wideman, Jr. After losing her husband of 37 years in 2003, Louise was blessed to again find love and companionship with Vernon. She and Vernon married on April 10, 2016 and enjoyed 4 ½ wonderful years together. She was the loving mother to four children: Jerry (Caroll) Wideman, Kathy (Herb) Miller, Tracy (Ron) Rice, Stephanie (James) Halloran, and two step-daughters: Donna Gibson and Verna Gillmann. Dear sister to Patsy Liscombe and Almaretta Farrar; and loving grandmother to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss her tremendously. Louise was also a dear aunt and friend to many. Louise is proceeded in death by her parents Oscar Mathes and Maggie (Clements) Turnbough; two brothers: Oscar “PX” Mathes, Jr. , Jesse “Buster” Clements; and two sisters: Betty Campbell, Mary Lou Etling. Louise lived a very active life. She retired from Walgreens where she had worked for 24 years. She regularly attended Christian Fellowship Assembly in High Ridge, MO where she will be dearly missed by her many Christian brothers and sisters. She and Vernon also loved bluegrass music and prior to Covid-19, spent every week going to where Vernon played guitar in a bluegrass band. She spent many years being a Girl Scout leader and Camp Director. Louise loved all “her girls” and many of them still refer to her as “mom” to this day. She has left them with many wonderful memories of camping trips, hay rides, Christmas caroling, and boxes upon boxes of the cookies they sold. She had also been a former member of the Classie Chassis Car Club and was so proud of her ’54 Chevy that she referred to as “Ole Blue”. Louise was an AVID yard sale and thrift store shopper. She would make a turn on two wheels if she spotted a yard sale sign, terrifying anyone who might be a passenger in the car. She could not pass by a thrift store without having to stop and see what treasures she might find. She also had a fondness for pink flamingos, which she amusingly would call penguins by accident. It became a fun joke for the family to sneak a new flamingo (and an occasional penguin) into her home or yard then wait to see how long it would take her to notice and which family member she would accuse. Family was the very most important thing in Louise’s life. She loved all the holiday gatherings, but Christmas was her very favorite. She absolutely loved to “over” decorate her yard and house, and her family joked that she could put the Griswald’s Christmas to shame. As soon as Christmas was over, and before the turn of a new year, she would be out starting her Christmas shopping for the next year. Christmas will never be the same for her family, but the wonderful memories of “Christmas at Louise’s house” will be shared for many years to come. Louise will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but one day they will meet up again. In her honor, the family asks that everyone PLEASE wear a mask and social-distance until our lives can once again be normal. Losing a loved one to Covid-19 is a horrible experience and it can happen to ANYONE.

Zelma "Louise" Wideman-Kampmann

July 11, 1943 - September 3, 2020