JoAnn Widerquist

Published 11:14 am Friday, August 2, 2024

May 13, 1931-July 26, 2024

JoAnn Gluesenkamp Widerquist, 93, of Notre Dame, Indiana, formerly of Cassopolis, Michigan, died peacefully Friday, July 26, 2024. She suffered a stroke and rested quietly for four days before finally succumbing to its effects while in the comfort of her family’s presence.
She was in many way the consummate nurse and caregiver. In her long and varied career, she worked in virtually all aspects of nursing. She believed that nursing is about more than curing disease; it is about healing the person by attending to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
She was born on May 13, 1931, in Batesville, Indiana, the youngest of two girls born to Gilbert Herman and Louise Hoegemeier Gluesenkamp.
JoAnn began her career at the age of fourteen as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s hospital in Batesville, Indiana. She graduated from the Indiana University School of nursing in 1953. She worked as a visiting nurse in Indianapolis, taught at Barea College in Kentucky, and then earned a master’s degree in nursing education from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.
While teaching at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in 1960, she met Allan Leonard Widerquist at an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship event. The two were married on April 29, 1961, in Batesville, Indiana.
The following year they moved to Chicago so that Allan could attend North Park Theological Seminary. JoAnn returned to hospital work and took time away from professional nursing to give birth to three children.
In 1969, the family moved to Cassopolis, Michigan so that Allan could take up a post as pastor at the United (Presbyterian) Church of Cassopolis.
JoAnn worked for several years teaching nursing at Southwestern Michigan College before returning to public health as nursing supervisor of the Cass County Health Department.
She returned to teaching again in the late 1970s when she took a fulltime faculty position at the Department of Nursing, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame. Her research specialized in the history and theory of nursing, particularly regarding the spirituality of Florence Nightingale. She became department head in 1987 and retired in 1994 after which she continued to teach part time at Bethel College in South Bend, give time to her grandchildren and community, and travel widely with her husband.
JoAnn loved mystery novels, flowers, and music. She was an efficient organizer, wonderful baker, and true friend to many near and far. She was a beloved teacher to the generations of nurses she taught from the 1950s to the 2000s.
JoAnn is survived by her husband of 63 years, The Reverend Allan L. Widerquist of Notre Dame, Indiana; one daughter, Kristine L. (Clu, A. Hagenbuch) Widerquist of Cassopolis; two sons, Tim (Hiromi Ose) Widerquist of South Bend, Indiana, Karl (Elizabeth Smith) Widerquist of New Orleans, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Nicholas W. (Marissa) Bosler of Palatine, Illinois, Anna Bosler (John IV) Santeiu of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Thomas A. Bosler (Marilla Opra) Widerquist of Saline, Michigan, Eric J. (Alexis) Bosler of Cassopolis, Michigan, Grayson E. Hagenbuch of Cassopolis, Michigan, Aki Ose Widerquist of Seattle, Washington; two great-grandchildren, Sophia Betty Bosler, John Nicholas Santeiu V; along with one nephew, four great nieces, and one great nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Louise Gluesenkamp, by her sister and brother-in-law, Matilda and Owen Schumacher, and by her beloved niece, Owenita Grubert.
Family and friends will gather Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at the United Presbyterian Church, 209 East State Street, Cassopolis, Michigan, from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. also at the church, a reception will follow.
The family prefers contributions in memory of JoAnn be made to The United Presbyterian Church of Cassopolis (269) 445-2664.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com