Genevieve (Gen) Bidar of La Crosse, Wisconsin and formerly of Adams, Wisconsin died on December 24, 2013 at Hillview Health Care in La Crosse.
At her request, there will be no service or visitation. She will be greatly missed by her family, relatives and her many friends.
Genevieve Bidar was born on November 12, 1915 in Wyeville, Wisconsin to Charles and Margaret (Baumgartner) Ottosen.
She attended schools at Wyeville and Adams.
She married John Bidar on November 25, 1933 in Portage, Wisconsin.
She was a cook for many years at various Adams and Friendship schools. She was also an assistant teacher at the Children’s Cottage Montessori School in Adams.
Gen was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Adams. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Adams County Historical Society, and The Chicago Northwestern Veterans Association.
She is survived by one daughter Sondra (John) Seitz of Arkansas; a son-in-law Russell Wickus of La Crosse; two grandsons, Scott (Mary Jo) Wickus of Honeoye Falls. NY; Jeffrey (Patti Sheeler) Wickus of Ankeney, IA; seven grandchildren, Andrea Wickus of Alburtis, PA, Jonathon (Katie) Wickus and their son’s Anthony Buchan, Christopher, and daughter Maria all of Winona, MN; Joelle (Nate) Willkomm of Whitewater, WI; Ethan Wickus, Louisa Wickus, and Henry Wickus all of Honeoye Falls, NY and Desiree’ Wickus of Ankeny, IA; Patti’s four children Ben (Megan) Sheeler and their children Kiernan and Emma of Eldridge, IA; Kate (Ricardo) Becerril and their children Ethan and Carmen of Ankeny, IA; Lindsey and her daughter Lily; and Luke Sheeler of Ankeny, IA; one sister Lola Pritchard of Necedah, WI; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Bidar who died in 1989, her daughter Dorothy Wickus who died in 2008, her parents, three brothers- Carl (Bud) Ottosen, Robert Ottosen, and Harry Ottosen; four sisters- Clara Murphy, Beverly Ristow, Carol Randles and Phylis Ottosen; and all of her aunts and uncles.
Genevieve will be cremated and interment will be at a later date at Mt. Repose Cemetery in Friendship, Wisconsin next to her husband John and daughter Dorothy
Sondra, My deepest sympathy to you at this time of sadness. I remember your Mom from the Children’s Cottage, my daughter went there.Your mom was one of the people that gave those children a great start for school. God Bless.
Will greatly miss Aunt Gen.
Visited Bid and Gen a lot. When they lived on Friendship pond I would ride my bike from Adams with my fishing pole. I miss Bid and Gen.
Russell and Sondra…Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the family. Gen was a sweetheart and she will be
missed by all who knew her, including us.
A fun and sweet lady. She will be remembered for her kindness. Deepest Sympathy.
Sondra, although I didn’t know your Mother, we still wish to convey the message of sympathy to you and yours. Know she is in a better place. God bless all of you.
Sondra, Russell and families, We send our very deepest condolences with the hope you will always cherish the memories.
Jen was one of the gentlest people working at the Children’s Cottage in Adams, with children. She loved the children and they loved her. Jen made them feel like they belonged and were cared for.
I remember Gen at Children’s cottage. She was always so good with the children. Always introducing them to new foods with gentle ways.She with Maude Colburn made such a difference in many children’s lives.
I remember the time spent in the Bidar home in Friendship. Sondra, those were good times for me as I always felt welcome. God bless you at this time.