Obituary: Wigen, Morris E.
Age 71
WIGEN,
Morris E.
(Age 71)
Morris left us for his eternal home with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, May 29, 2012.
Morris was the firstborn child to his loving parents, Joris and Lillian Wigen on December 1, 1940 in Colfax Washington.
The Wigens moved to Spokane Washington in 1942 where Morris grew up with his three brothers, Boyd, Norman, and Ron, all currently living in Spokane.
Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Joris and Lillian Wigen.
Morris and Linda Grey were married in 1961 and were the parents of two children, Morris, Jr. (Judy) and Mark (Delene).
Morris attended Trent Elementary and graduated from West Valley High School in 1959.
He was a gifted musician and loved music.
He was lead violinist at Trent Elementary and West Valley H.S.
He played in many invitational settings along with his brother Boyd.
Morris was an outstanding baseball player for West Valley.
He continued on with his love for sports to play softball for several years with the Liberty Lake Community Church Team.
Morris graduated from Central Washington University with a teaching degree in Math and Science.
Morris’ love for the ocean took him to Long View, Washington for his first teaching position.
The next year, he returned to Spokane Valley and the Central Valley School District.
He retired from the CV School District in 1996 where he taught math and science classes in addition to his love of being “Coach” to the wrestling team and the girls track team.
He went on to teach at Northwest Christian for two years.
In 1989, Morris met the love of his life, Bernie Bays.
He welcomed her children, Stacie, Mike (Sue), Steve and Jeff into his life.
Side by side they built their home along the banks of Priest River, among the mountains of North Idaho.
Morris enjoyed being with family most of all.
He was always ready to give the grandkids a hand with baiting the hook, casting the line and reeling in the really big one.
Morris and Bernie loved to travel.
The most memorable trip was visiting the Holy Land with Monsignor John Steiner and the group of friends from their former parish of St. Mary’s Church, Spokane Valley.
They were active in their Spokane community as well as their community in Priest River.
Morris was diagnosed with cancer in 1997.
When the cancer returned in 2005, he actively engaged in treatments of Gamma Knife intermittently for six years; always returning home to continue on with his love of gardening, yard care and the inevitable snow blowing.
He didn’t complain.
He just did it and was always ready for a cup of coffee or a cold beer when the job was finished.
Morris loved to tease his grandkids from the day they were born.
He absolutely loved to make pancakes, sausage and eggs for them.
Morris attended their school functions, sports activities and was a strong supporter of their education.
Morris’s grandchildren are (Morrie) Gerald and Kayla; (Mark) Austin and Briana; (Mike) Tim, Donna (Stacie) Bill, Virgil, Ashlynn; (Jeff) Jeffery, Ethan and Christina.
Morris leaves behind nieces and nephews Kim, Christa, Mike, Ron, Eric, Jana and Jenny with whom he shared many birthdays and family gatherings.
The Mass of Celebration of his life will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 612 W 1st Ave Newport, WA at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012.
SHERMAN-KNAPP FUNERAL HOME IN NEWPORT is in charge of arrangements.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.