Jenifer Le Widner

Jenifer Le Widner, 51, of Newton, Iowa, passed away on August 17, 2025.

She was born on September 27, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Franklin Leroy Widner and Angela Marie (Wright) Widner. Jenifer grew up in East Des Moines and attended East Des Moines High School before later earning her GED through Des Moines Area Community College. Over the years, she lived in Des Moines, Altoona, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill, and eventually made her home in Newton.

Jenifer was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, cooking, caring for her houseplants, and spending time with her children, grandson, family, and her dog, Odie. Faith was an important part of her life, and she was active in her church community. Known for her giving heart, Jenifer was always helping others in whatever way she could. She was a provider. She was also involved with Discover Hope in Newton for many years and taught at Clearview Recovery Center in Prairie City, where she touched many lives.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Widner.

Those left to honor her memory include her mother, Angela Widner; her children, Cassie Fortune (Josh Bloomquist), Anna Stroeber (Zech), Ricky Whitney, and Jesslynn Caldwell; her sisters, Brenda Stish, Debbie Phillips, and Teresa Carr; her grandson, Weston Leroy Bloomquist; and another grandson soon to arrive.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service, from 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to her daughter, Cassie Fortune, to help with funeral expenses, or given through her GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/920a44f4.