Widmark hasnít forgotten his family roots

By John Behling
The village of Sunrise came out to honor two prominent former residents, and to celebrate 150 years of the villageís existence earlier this month.
About 30 Sunrise residents gathered Aug. 2 to see the unveiling of a marker placed at the birthplace of actor Richard Widmark and a sign that honored the achievements of former Illinois Gov. Frank Lowden, both of whom were born in Sunrise.
The crowd stood silent, watching a biography of the prolific hollywood actor play on a small television screen. After a few minutes, Wade Olson, who organized and planned the event, as well as raised funds to purchase the marker, uncovered the new sign.
Richard Widmark was born in Sunrise on Dec. 26, 1914. Although his family moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., a year later, those who live in the area today knew of him and his family.
ìHarry Holleat was the first one to know about Richard. He came running over and said that theyíd had a boy,î said Janice Loger, who still lives next door to the former Widmark property.
ìMy Grandpa Olson and Widmarkís father were good friends. One day Widmarkís father and another fellow decided they were going to play a joke on my Grandpa, said Delano Olson.
ìThey pretended like they were having an argument and Widmarkís father pretended to shoot the guy,î he said. ìWhen my Grandpa heard the argument and the shot he came running out ... I think thatís where Richard got his acting from,î Olson said.
Widmark, 88, debuted in 1947ís ìKiss of Death,î as the psychopathic Tommy Udo ñ a performance that is still considered to be his most memorable.
His career spanned nearly 50 years with over 70 films including OíHenryís Full House, The Alamo, Madigan, Halls of Montezuma and No Way out. He has since retired from acting after 1991ís True Colors. He now lives in California, but he hasnít forgotten Minnesota.
ìIíd like to say hello to all the people of Sunrise. Iím very sorry that I canít be with you today, but I appreciate this tribute, so much,î Widmark wrote in a letter sent to Olson which was distributed during the ceremony.
ìI was born in Sunrise 88 years ago, and Iíve always been proud to say ëSunrise is my home town.í Thank you for the great honor you have given me,î the letter continued.
The group of Widmark friends and fans moved to Olson Field where a new, brightly-colored sign welcomed visitors to Sunrise and honored Widmark along with former Sunrise resident Frank Orren Lowden, the former governor of Illinois who nearly received the Republican nomination for president in 1920.
Afterward the unveiling of the sign, the celebration continued at the Olson home, where Widmarkís biography was shown.
Olson raised $1,200 to pay for the two new signs by holding two wrestling events at his residence in 2000 and 2001.
ìItís been a vision of mine ever since I was a kid when I used to hear about Richard Widmark,î said Olson, who has lived in Sunrise his entire life and is described as a history buff by his wife Holly.
ìEvery community has something to say. I wanted these people to be recognized,î Olson said.
Olson took donations at the event for a proposed ìRichard Widmark Weekend,î film festival which could be held the first week of August next year.

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