Gary D. Wigen, age 78, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 at his home.

He was born February 22, 1944 in Wausau, WI and lived in an orphanage for 4 months before being adopted by Arop & Minne (Olson) Wigen of Hillsdale, WI

 He attended Sunday school and was confirmed at New Scandinavia Lutheran Church of rural Dallas, WI, where he became a lifelong member. Gary attended Washington Irving Country School from 1st grade to 8th, then junior & senior high at Barron, WI, where he graduated in 1962. Gary enjoyed growing up on a farm, driving tractors and the simple beauty of nature. He began working for Jerome Turkey Store in 1961, then moved on to Johnson Bros. (Swant Graber) as a mechanic in 1965, working there until 1972, when he moved to Chibardun Telephone Company (Mosaic), until his retirement in the year 2000. In 1965, he enlisted in the National Guard. He took basic training at Ft. Knox, KY and remained enlisted until 1972. Gary was married to Marion Moen on June 3, 1967 at Sand Creek, WI, and they built their home between Barron & Cameron. After retiring, Gary & Marion traveled many places, sometimes by car, motorcycle, snowmobile, bus, or cruising. Gary took up woodworking in 2001, and made many picnic tables, beds, dressers, entertainment centers, podiums, book cases and library shelves for his children, even the Sunday School pews & the altar bottom at New Scandinavia for the new church. He also built the altar for the Dallas Lutheran Church. He enjoyed cutting wood, lawn mowing and being outside, enjoying the occasional hunt or fishing after his retirement.

Gary is survived by his wife: Marion, daughters: Kristal (Grant) Gifford of Cameron, WI, Shelly (Adam) Shipley of Barron, WI, son: Mark (Alicia) Wigen of Lino Lakes, MN, grandchildren: Derek & Ethan Gifford of Cameron, Lilly & Cameron Wigen of Lino Lakes and Breanna & Austin Shipley of Barron.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8 at New Scandinavia Lutheran Church in the Town of Maple Grove, rural Dallas with Rev. Ron Gerl officiating & interment following in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Home in Cameron & also for the hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Cameron & Dallas.

Last Update: Oct 05, 2022 3:16 pm CDT