Richard (Dick) Lee Wigen

Richard (Dick) Lee Wigen, age 66, of Ritzville died early Friday morning on Dec. 23, 2011, due to complications from cancer.

He was born in Spokane on July 26, 1945, to Leonard Wigen and Gladys (Steel) Wigen. After attending high school in both Sandpoint, Idaho, and Spokane, he joined the United States Navy in 1963.

Shortly after serving his country, he married Jessie Mitchell of Sandpoint and they had four children. During these years they relocated to Lind, where he started his career as a signal maintainer for the railroad.

He later married Guyla Wigen in 1980, and they set up their permanent residence in Ritzville. With this marriage, he gained two more children.

After a successful 40 years with the railroad and many summers driving truck for wheat harvest, he retired in 2006. He and Guyla spent more than 30 happy years together loving, living, and traveling frequently.

He has often been described as a man of few words and an animal lover. At the very least, he was strong, generous and caring.

He is survived by his children Anthony (Michelle) Wigen, Angela Roll, Lynnette (Douglas) Munk, Cheryl (Jim) Haase, Skip (Tiffany) Kurkowski; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Clifford (Cecilia) Wigen; and his dogs Brittany and Jacks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Guyla Wigen and son Robert Wigen.

A funeral service was held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Ritzville on Dec. 28, 2011.

Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org.