Charles "Monty" Widger

A Celebration of Life for Charles “Monty” Widger will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the fire hall in Lyman, Nebraska with Mike Vinton officiating. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Monty’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Charles Dale Widger was born in rural Sioux County, Nebraska, on June 16, 1938, to Bill and Naomi (Morehouse) Widger. He was given the nickname “Monty” when quite young by his father, who raised him and his sister, Carol, alone after he and Naomi divorced. Monty’s aunt, Elva Adams, helped raise them as well, becoming the mother figure for the siblings. 

Monty attended school in Harrison, Nebraska, playing football and basketball and participating in FFA, where he was an all-around cowboy in high school and on the NRA circuits. He graduated from high school in 1956, after which he found his calling in the rodeo, especially in bull riding. 

On August 3, 1963, during a rodeo in Estes Park, Colorado, he married Rayanna Lee Kelley on horseback in the center of the arena. As a young, married man, he worked on many ranches. Monty and Rayanna had five children together and lived in the Wyo/Braska area for the remainder of their lives. Monty worked for Swift and Company for many years before becoming an over-the-road truck driver, through which he traveled to every state in the Continental U.S. He had been to Mexico and Canada as well. He finished out his last years of truck driving with Dominion Construction. Monty worked hard to support his family and was willing to do most any job to accomplish this. He was a plumber, electrician, construction worker, and mechanic for any family or friend who needed his helping hand. 

His dream for retirement was to once again work on a ranch breaking horses, but his failing eyesight prevented this from happening. In the meantime, he was able to be Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa to those who loved him, spending time nearly daily with at least one family member or another. He grew a love for Motocross and supported his grandsons as their biggest fan. He had many stories from his lifetime that he enjoyed sharing. Monty found companionship through his beloved dog, Apollo, spending almost every minute together. Those who saw Monty in his later years most likely saw Apollo in his arms or on his lap. Besides his dog, he loved the Nebraska Cornhusker Volleyball girls and watched every game for the past five years.

Monty was preceded in death by his wife, Rayanna Widger in 2021; his parents; sister, Carol Willison; aunt, Elva Adams; nephew, Gary Hacker; and niece, Raylee Hacker. 

Survivors include daughter, Leanna Sinner (Bobby Hill) of Lyman; sons and daughters-in-law, Monty and Tanya Widger of Kearney and Marty and Lori Widger of Union; daughters and son-in-law, Billi and Joe Ewing of Lyman and Rhonda Widger of Lyman; grandchildren, Wyndee and Nick Green, Cody McGrew, Alysa Carrizales (James Bowlin), Adriana and Derek Bowlin, Dale E. Sinner, Kacee and Lucy Ewing, Devon Carrizales, Cole Sinner, Kaleb Ewing, Dylan Widger, and Kira Widger; great-grandchildren, Rylee Green, Ryder Green, Madisyn Carrizales, Mersaydez Carrizales, Charlea Carrizales, Reece Green, Maddox Bowlin, Greysen Sinner, Adalynn Sinner, Alivia Bowlin, Bryar Ewing, Ripley Schultz, Lenni Ewing, and Milli Ewing; great-great granddaughter, Delilah; and extended family members, Velasha Hinojosa, Chance Hinojosa, Stetson Hinojosa, Ashlei Hinojosa, Jacob “Jakers” Hinojosa, and Giani Hinojosa.

Monty was the strongest man we ever knew, but also the nicest man you could ever meet. He will be greatly missed by so many.