Thelma R. Wiggans

Thelma R. Wiggans, 90, died January 29, 2012 at the Linn Community Nursing Home, Linn. A funeral service was 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 3, at Ward Funeral Home, Washington. Pastor Judy Hill officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organ while Michelle Staebell sang "Amazing Grace" and "On Eagles Wings." The pallbearers were Thomas J. Cooney, Thomas G. Cooney, Aaron Staebell, Chris Behrends, Adam Bolek and Randy Peitzmeier. The honorary pallbearers were Henry Staebell, Caroline Staebell, Emma Staebell, Chase Behrends, Mason Behrends, Liliana Cooney, Rasine Bolek and Makenzie Peitzmeier. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Thelma was born April 8, 1921, on the family farm southeast of Linn, KS, to James Harry and Amanda (Schwerdtfeger) Alexander. She attended country school and graduated from Linn High School. Thelma went to Topeka, where she graduated from beauty school. She met Wm. Harley Wiggans at Topeka and they were married at Imperial, NE by her uncle, who was a judge, on March 15, 1941. During WWII she worked on airplanes at Cheyenne, WY, while her husband served in the Army. After returning to this area, she worked in a restaurant in Linn, a retail business in Washington and worked many years at the Washington County Hospital. Thelma was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and was a 29 year member of the Linn American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed quilting, having made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also quilted with the Good Shepherd Lutheran quilters. Camping, fishing, playing bingo and doing word search puzzles were some of her favorite pastimes. Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought her great joy. For the past thirteen months, she resided at the Linn Community Nursing Home, where she enjoyed the wonderful care and traveling to various locations. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harley; brothers, Leroy and Virgil Alexander; and sister-in-law, Nola Alexander. Survivors include her daughter, Susan Kay (Thomas) Cooney, Branson, MO; son, Maurice Dean (Carlene) Wiggans, Harbine, NE; grandchildren, Michelle (Aaron) Staebell, Thomas (Catherine) Cooney, Kimberly (Chris) Behrends, Kristy (Adam) Bolek, Angela (Randy) Peitzmeier; and great-grandchildren, Emma , Caroline and Henry Staebell, Thomas and Liliana Cooney, Chase and Mason Behrends, Rasine Bolek and Makenzie Peitzmeier; brother-in-law, Joe (Jean) Wiggans, Derby, KS; several nieces and nephews. A memorial fund has been established to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Linn Nursing Home Resident Van Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thelma R. Wiggans, please visit our flower store.