Margie “Marge” Jean (Schugart) Widen, age 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Sunset Home in Concordia, Kansas. She was born on October 01, 1941, to William Fred and Velma (Hlavaty) Schugart.
On May 13, 1967, Marge married the love of her life, C.J. “Cork” Widen, in Timken, Kansas. Their union was blessed with four children: Jen, Jeff, Jill, and Jack. Marge and Cork met while she was working in the offices at Western Power. During that time, she drove a white Mustang that allowed her to tap into her wild side, and her long hair was always styled with a perfect flip at the ends making her quite the head-turner.
Marge held many cherished titles throughout her life — wife, mother, homemaker, baker, seamstress, card shark, grandma, and great-grandma — and she wore each one with pride. She lovingly shared her talents by sewing clothes for Cork and their children, baking wedding and anniversary cakes for others, cooking and preparing treats for her family, faithfully attending her grandchildren’s school events, and winning countless hands of pitch.
She was always ready to make something delicious, with family favorites including her chocolate sheet cake and kuchan. Measuring cups were unnecessary — her mind was the only cookbook she needed, and her recipes remained a closely guarded secret.
In her later years, Marge found joy in life’s simple pleasures: reading the weekly newspaper, working on puzzles, going out for coffee, calling family to catch up, and especially cherishing pop-in visits from loved ones.
Marge was a devoted member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia, Kansas. She belonged to the Altar Society, where she helped prepare funeral dinners, cook for church fish fries, and assist with the church bazaar.
She is survived by her sons, Jeff (Lisa) Widen and Jack (Michelle) Widen, both of Concordia, Kansas; daughters, Jill Stortz of Concordia, Kansas, and Jennifer Poncsak of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Katie (Connor) Orr, Jacksonville, Florida; Chris Poncsak, Denver, Colorado; Logan (Mariah) Widen and McKenzie Widen, both of Concordia, Kansas; Crockett (Vanessa) Stortz, St. Francis, Kansas; Christian, Anna, and Deacon Widen, all of Concordia, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Miller and Remi Orr, Adeline Widen, Emberlyn Stortz, Taylynn Wieck, and Brecklynn Hamilton, and sister Joyce Irwin.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, C.J. “Cork” Widen; her parents, William Fred and Velma (Hlavaty) Schugart; sisters - Sister Mary Anita Schugart and Marilyn Grover; brother Alvin Schugart.
Memorial Contributions may be given to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church c/o Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. Online condolences may be sent to www.chaputbuoy.com