Mary Kane

Mary Virginia Widtfeldt Kane, 78, died Jan. 10, 2017, at her home in Atwood. She was born the fourth of eight children to Mary Knapp and Helmer Joseph Widtfeldt on May 19, 1938, in O’Neill Neb. She attended elementary school at various schools in northwest Nebraska and graduated as salutatorian of the class of 1956 at Rushville, Neb.

Virginia attained an associates degree from Chadron State Teachers College in 1958. She began her teaching career in Bridgeport, Neb., teaching sixth grade.
She married William “Bill” L. Kane June 3, 1961, in Gordon, Neb. They were blessed with three sons, William Nicholas, David Michael and Richard Todd.

Virginia loved the outdoors, especially the Nebraska sand hills where she grew up. She was family oriented and enjoyed gardening and traveling.

She loved teaching and would reach out to any student who needed a helping hand. She taught in Atwood from 1969 until 2002, mostly in the sixth grade and then later in the fourth grade. She loved seeing “her kids” grow up and develop into happy, busy adults.

Virginia was a cherished and accurate proofreader at the Rawlins County Square Deal from 2002 until her passing. She will be truly missed by her co-workers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Max Owen and David Gene; and one niece, Susan Yadon.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Kane; her three sons, William Nicholas Kane of Rexford, Kan., David Michael Kane and his wife, Beverly, of Littleton, Colo., and Richard Todd Kane and his wife, Rose, of Wichita; four grandchildren, Ashley and her husband Carson Norton of Great Bend, Kan., Tyson Kane and his wife Maria Ruda of Dodge City, Kan., Austin Taylor Kane of Littleton and Crystal Danielle Kane of Littleton; and four great-grandchildren.

The family has chosen cremation and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.