A Memorial Service for Wayne Kidwell will be held on Sunday October 18 at 10AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Turlock, CA. Thank you to everyone at the Presbyterian Church for helping us organize this memorial. We would be honored if you are able to come attend and celebrate the life of Wayne and Elizabeth Kidwell.
Wayne E. Kidwell, originally born with no middle name, was born in Barnett, Missouri, a small farm town of about 200. As the story goes, a neighbor in Barnett told dad if he would adopt the letter “E” as his middle initial, he would give Wayne a horse. Dad eagerly accepted. Wayne was born to Ralph Kidwell and loving mother Margaret Kidwell, June 28, 1935. Margaret had 5 other children, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Pauline was the eldest sister, brother Basil, brother Garland, Wayne was number 4, sisters Donna and Ruth were the youngest.
The family was not wealthy financially, but very rich in love. Wayne grew up a farm boy in Missouri and fond memories I recall are him and siblings walking down the dirt road to a one room school house regularly both on good and sometimes snow filled winter mornings. Hunting for squirrels or rabbits was an extra source of income for the boys. Going down to the cellar to get food was common, but the smell of old potatoes was not something dad enjoyed. Wayne helped with daily chores but did not have quite the passion of daily farm work that his brothers and sisters enjoyed, particularly Aunt Ruth and Uncle Garland. Wayne and sister Donna took to learning to play piano and both grew to become professional church Pianists, organists, and choir conductors, and share their skills with churches in both California, Missouri, and Kansas. Iowa, and many many congregations were blessed by their music both in the United States and also European Concert tours.
Wayne grew up on the farm but made the bold decision to go off to college and was accepted at Central Mo. State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, 1952-1955. Many wonderful but also challenging stories of hitchhiking 1.5 hours to and from college were shared by Wayne. Working at a candy store and also selling shoes, he put himself through college and graduated. He also taught both instrumental and vocal lessons, sharing his love for music with many.
After college, Wayne joined the Army and was quickly trusted by his commanding officers and served 3 years as Secretary to Division Commander at Fort Lewis, Washington, 1958-1960. He then moved to Illinois and attended Southern Illinois University 1960-1961. Wayne then made a life changing decision to enter Education and move to where he could get a teaching job. The answer soon arrived, California. Wayne moved to San Carlos, CA in 1961 and began his career in Education teaching Vocal and Instrumental Music at San Carlos Elementary, 1961-1964. Not only did this move elevate his life professionally this is where he also was introduced to the love of his life, Elizabeth. Dad told me he did not like people being late, and being a professional violinist, Liz was running late on their first date, but luckily Wayne decided to wait for her. They married in 1963. Wayne applied for and got a higher paying job in Music at a small town of Hickman, CA, and lived there happily 1964-1966.
With Wayne’s goal of higher education, Wayne and Liz returned to Southern Illinois University where he worked on and completed his Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a minor in Anthropology and Sociology, 1966-1968. Even more significant was the birth of their first daughter Christine in Carbondale, Illinois, 1966. He earned the title we all love, Dr. Wayne E. Kidwell for the rest of his life. And Dr. Wayne E. Kidwell was just getting started.
With energy, enthusiasm, his musical and leadership skills, Wayne got his first job in Administration in Turlock, CA at Crowell Elementary School, 1968-1973. Soon after the Kidwells arrived in Turlock, CA Liz gave birth to their 2nd child Douglas. Dad was highly motivated and once in Turlock became the organist and pianist of Beulah Covenant Church, later Turlock Covenant Church for 25 years. Working with his esteemed colleague Gary Unruh, Wayne and Gary lead the music program to great things. Tours to Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Finland, Music Festivals at University of Fairbanks Alaska multiple times, and also many festive choir swim parties at the Kidwell home. Those were wonderful years, Mom on violin, Christine and Doug in choirs, plays, and holiday operas and always Dr. Wayne E. Kidwell faithfully on piano and organ. Dad was also President of the local Kiwanis Club for many years. A big fund raiser was selling apples on downtown Main street in Turlock where Wayne would be found at an apple stand yelling, “Apples, get your apples!” He also served his community as President of the Community Concerts and arranged wonderful music talents to come and perform in Turlock, again spreading his love for music with his community.
The music style changed at Turlock Covenant and Wayne’s amazing organ skills were no longer needed, but the Presbyterian Church in Turlock was thrilled to hear he was available and snatched him right up. He continued for another 25 years leading the choir, hand bell choir, and always playing beautiful music on the piano and organ. He organized a choir trip to New York City that was wonderful. With Liz as professional violinist in symphonies, weddings at Yosemite, and events for 50 plus years, Mom on violin and dad on piano, add Chris on flute and Douglas on cello, it was wonderful music always in the Kidwell home and at church.
Sadly, in 2023, after another wonderful symphony season, mom grew weak from cancer, for the third time, but went to heaven in May that year. We had Mom and Dad move down to Ventura so we could be more help as both Christine and Doug live there. After mom’s passing, Dad knew one thing, Ventura was not home, Turlock was. He returned to 580 Camellia, our wonderful Turlock home and lived on his own. But good news is he was not alone, frequent visits from the kids, amazing neighbors, friends from the Presbyterian Church, he could still continue playing cards at the Turlock Community Center and Covenant Village, and also continue the 2nd love of his life, music at the Presbyterian Church. He also accepted that he could use a little help and we were blessed that Susan and Daniel Helm became his caregivers at day and he did ok at night on his own. One year ago, dad turned 90 and friends and family celebrated Hawaiian style at 580 Camellia. Then he traveled back to Missouri, Kansas City, Nebraska, and beautiful Lake Okoboji in Iowa. This was standard procedure for the Kidwells, but sadly, that would be Wayne’s last trip to the Midwest.
As 2026 rolled in, dad took a couple falls and living on his own became too difficult. We made the difficult decision to have him move down to Ventura so we could see him regularly instead of every few weeks. Dad lived in a really wonderful care home, 2 wonderful helpers there 24/7; a house with 6 rooms, Dad had his own room and most importantly wonderful help 24/7. We could take him out for a drive, he came to our houses for dinners, the first 4 months were very positive; but sadly dad’s weak heart started to weaken. Early August, dad’s heart just couldn’t keep up and he went to heaven. On Tuesday, August 4, Wayne E. Kidwell went to heaven to be with God and Jesus. He missed Liz and they were reunited in heaven and that thought brings much comfort. Wayne outlived his entire family, and we know there was a great welcoming party up there of Kidwells and dear friends. Wayne’s body was buried in Barnett, Missouri at Greenmore Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. He is buried right next to mom’s grave so they are forever united once again both in Missouri and heaven. And by the way, if you talk to my cousins in Missouri, Missouri and heaven have a lot in common, both are considered the Promised Land.
Both Wayne and Liz adored their Grandkids, Lizzy, Reilly, Aimee and Amanda. They will be missed by all the 4 Grandkids and also their daughter and son Christine and Doug, John Tepaske and Bonnie Kidwell as well.
August has been a rough month with the passing of our dad, and Doug and Christine have so many people to thank it is impossible to list everyone. And I apologize if I miss someone, but I would like to thank a few that were near and dear to Wayne, Liz, and super helpful during the last months of Wayne’s life. Gary Unruh, life long friend, fellow musician to Wayne (Gary called him “Chief”; Jeff and ‘Sheri Carlson, 580 Camellia neighbors who helped dad with dinners, technology issues, and tons of love 35 years; Susan and Daniel Helm, care givers extraordinaire in Turlock 3 years; Donna Harrison and Karen Updyke, walking friends in Turlock; Karen/Dean Hammer, Dave and Pat Harry, Glenn Henricksen (Lake Okoboji friends and fellow musician) Doug/Lynn (Lake Okoboji friends) Rich and Jane Hendrickson (Illinois Dad’s best man) Marilyn/Wade Fulmer- friends Both Beulah Cov Church and first Presbyterian Turlock) Linda (Best friend in Ventura) entire Church of first Pres in Turlock for support and friendship) Darryl/Janice/Diane Crow (long Turlock friends) Pastor Dan/Esther Wakefield service in Missouri and loved nephew) Kenneth/Marsha Kidwell (loved nephew and stay in Missouri) Steve/Natalie Scrivner (loved nephew and great jokes to ease sadness) Ronald/Donald Kidwell loved nephews; Gary and Dennis/Cynthia Sending prayers to you, loved cousins; Sharon Holdridge (loved niece)
Wayne Kidwell was a good man, father, grandfather, musician, uncle, and educator; we will miss him very much, but do take much comfort that he is up in heaven with Mom and his entire family. Thank you for being a friend to Wayne and Liz and our family. And you know what they say, you can take the boy out of Missouri, but you can’t take the Missouri out of the boy
Thank you, God, for giving us the life of Wayne E. Kidwell. He helped make this world a little better place with his love and music, Amen.
Wayne Passed on Tuesday, August 4 and was flown to Missouri for his final resting place at Greenmore Memorial Gardens on Tuesday August 11. A graveside service was held with family as he was laid to rest next to his wife Elizabeth. It was both a sad but beautiful tribute to Dad, Wayne E. Kidwell.
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