CARBONDALE, Kan. – Pamela Rose Wideman, 62, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Saturday, June 29, 1957, to Florence (Disney) and Edward Ferry, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka.
Pam grew up in Topeka with her mom and younger brother Charlie. She enjoyed growing up very close to her Grandma Disney and extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, especially her Aunt Sarah who was only 12 years older than her. She attended Highland Park Schools until the fall of 1973. Pam attended Shawnee Heights in 11th and 12th grade and graduated in May 1975.
The summer prior to her senior year, she met the love of her life, Warren Wideman, while they were both working at a bakery and donut shop. By the end of the year, the two love birds were engaged. Pam had all the credits she needed to graduate in May by the end of December, so the two were married Feb. 3, 1975. The two moved to Wichita, Kan., after graduation, then after a few years moved back to Topeka. In 1979, they bought their first house in Carbondale, Kan., where they settled down and raised a family. Pam worked as a waitress in the first part of their marriage until she started her own home daycare which was named Over the Rainbow Daycare at one point. She spent over 20 years as a daycare provider helping raise children with some becoming like family. Due to back problems, she could no long take care of babies. Pam began a new career as a paraprofessional for the Santa Fe Trail District or Three Lakes Cooperative. Once her daycare kids were old enough, she retired as a daycare provider. She continued as a paraprofessional for SFT, until retiring in August 2019.
Pam loved reading books, listening to music, putting puzzles together, playing games of all kinds especially with family, and creating art especially drawing and painting. Pam loved her family and spending time with her grandkids. Pam was raised in a Christian home, where they attended University United Methodist Church and Highland Baptist Church, in Topeka, during her childhood. Pam’s faith was very important to her. Soon after moving to Carbondale, Pam and her family began attending Grace Chapel, which became like a second family.
Pamela is survived by her three children, Nicholas Wideman, of Lawrence, Kan., Holly Gudenkauf (Ron), Dawson, Neb., and Heather Metcalfe, Topeka; four grandchildren; one brother, Charlie Ferry, Topeka; three nephews; one aunt, Sarah Baker (Francis), Buena Vista, Colo.; two uncles, Lenard Disney (Sue), Indianapolis, Ind., and Lavern Disney (Deb), Grand Prairie, Tex; and 10 cousins.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, with a visitation at 10 a.m., at Grace Chapel, Carbondale. Burial will be in Carbondale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Chapel or the American Cancer Society, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
