Wiegand, Lee

Lee Wiegand was born Sept. 27, 1915 to Claude and Julia 
(Sanger) Wiegand of Laramie, Wyo. He grew up in Laramie, 
helping support his mother after his dad's early death. Lee's 
favorite times were spent on the family ranch in Saratoga 
where he started breaking horses at age 13. He worked his 
way through the University of Wyoming, gaining 1st team 
honors as a guard on the Cowboys' basketball team. While in 
college he met JoAnne MacDonald whom he married in 1940. 
Their daughter, Jody, was born in 1942. Lee served in the U.S. 
Arm during World War II, attaining the rank of Major. In 1946 
he began work as a county agent; his expertise in ranch 
appraisals led him to Billings, Mont. and a job with Bankers 
Life Insurance. In 1961 when Western Life merged with St. Paul 
Fire and Marine, Lee and Jo moved to Minnesota. Before his 
retirement Lee oversaw construction of a new home office for 
the company with many innovative features. After retirement, 
Lee and Jo returned to the west to live in Boise to be near 
their daughter and grandchildren. They enjoyed spending 
time in Garden Valley playing golf at Terrace Lakes and 
visiting family and friends. Lee is survived by numerous 
relatives including daughter Jody Mabe (Lee), grandchildren 
Halle Longeteig-Smith (Jeff), Andrew Longeteig (Amy and 
daughter Leila), Tim Mabe (Angela and daughter Jennifer), and 
Trish Mabe (son Jake). He was preceded in death by his wife 
of 63 years, Jo, his sister Irene Voje, and his step-grandson 
Jeremy Mabe. No services are planned at this time, but 
memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or 
The Idaho Community Foundation.

Published in Idaho Statesman on May 23, 2010