Obituary of Mark Norman Widsten

Mark was born in Sleepy Eye Minnesota on March 25^th, 1945 and died in Virginia on July 6^th, 2020.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Gertrude Widsten, sister, Diane Kelsey, and his beloved daughter Amy Widsten VanBuskirk.  He is survived by his sister Mary Wood of Morrison, Colorado, nieces Carolyn Kluender and Mylissa Matson, nephews David Kelsey, Mark Wood, and Michael Wood as well as 9 great nieces and nephews.

Mark graduated from St. Paul Central High School, the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.  His career in chemical engineering included Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio, Miles Laboratories in Chicago, Illinois, Economics Laboratories in St. Paul, Minnesota and Cargill in Minnesota.  He also lived in Las Vegas, Nevada and Lakewood, Colorado. He moved to Virginia to be close to his daughter Amy.

Mark loved to travel, take photos, hike and ski.  He skied in Minnesota, Utah, and Colorado.  Sometimes with brother-in-law Bob Wood and cousin John Christensen.  He always enjoyed a pick up game of basketball.  He loved music and art.  He was blessed to be a happy person with a quick laugh.  He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity and was an Eagle Scout.

As his sister, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for his amazing friends and relatives throughout his life that enriched it in many ways.  I also wish to acknowledge that he received love and care from the staff at Great Falls Assisted Living in the last few years of his life. His ashes will be spread in the beautiful places he loved in life.  Memorials are to the charity of your choice.  Please identify how you knew Mark and anything you would like to share about him.  Thank you.