John E. Widmar, age 70, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at his home in Bloomer.
John was born on April 12, 1954, in Menomonie, WI, to John F. and Mary (Wanbaugh) Widmar. He graduated with the Class of 1972 from Homestead High in Mequon, WI. He went on to attend UW-Stout for Culinary and Hospitality and started T. J.’s Inn in Downsville, WI, in March of 1976. Kristin Kaiser joined him at the bar in 1980, and they were married on October 6, 1984, at the church in Gordon, WI.
John was the founder of the Downsville Sportsman’s Club and was an avid outdoorsman and hunting and fishing guide. He was an accomplished chef known for his food at the bar and catering events, where he was a master of the charcoal grill. After having a successful restaurant and catering business for 40 years, John and Kris sold in 2015 and moved to Bloomer. He touched many lives and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his wife: Kris of Bloomer; brother: Tony (Suzanne) Widmar of Barnes; sisters: Terry Widmar of Scottsdale, AZ, Ann Widmar (Dan Kelly) of Scottsdale, AZ, and Joan (Mike) Sutliff of Duluth, MN; special sister-in-law: Kathy Kaiser (Ed Lambert) of Bloomer; brother-in-law: Karl (Sandy) Kaiser of Wauwatosa, WI; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: John F. and Mary Widmar.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Timber Inn (formerly T. J.’s Inn) in Downsville, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Downsville Sportsman’s Club.
