WIGEN, Howard "Joe" Joseph (Age 90) 

Of Molalla, Oregon, formerly of the Spokane area, went home to be with Jesus 
February 19, 2009 in Molalla. Graveside services will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 
p.m. at the Spokane Memorials Gardens. There will be a visitation at Hazen & Jeager 
Funeral Home 1306 N. Pines Rd. on Thursday from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 
10 - 12 noon. Howard was born on January 20, 1919 in Penewawa, Washington to 
George Jorgen Wigen and Gunhild (Julia) Kyllo Wigen. He was one of nine children. 
They resided in Dusty where Howard grew up on a farm, farming the old way with 
horses. He graduated from La Crosse High School in 1938. Howard served for four 
years in the U.S. Army during WW II. Following the war, he went to work for Inland 
Motor Freight as Terminal Manager in Colfax, WA for six years. He then moved to 
Spokane in 1953 and drove truck for Garrett Freight Lines until retiring in 1981. Howard 
married Helen Rudy of LaCrosse, WA on January 2, 1943. They had two children, 
George C. and Catherine J. Munsey. Helen preceded Howard in death in 1963. 
Howard married Muriel T. Momb on August 18, 1965. Muriel previously had two 
children, Carol M. Howell and Arlen B. Muriel preceded Howard in death July 2, 2001. 
Following Muriel's death, Howard chose to relocate from Spokane to Molalla, Oregon to 
live with his daughter Cathie and her family. Howard was a member of the Good 
Shepherd Lutheran Church in Spokane since 1954. He is survived by four children, 13 
great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; his brother, Kenneth Wigen, 
and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials may be made to 
the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Howard will be missed greatly by all who have 
had the privledge to be part of his life. Gardening will never be the same.

Published on 2/24/2009
Spokesman-Review