Derald Eugene "Gene" Wiggers

1932 - 2015

Derald Eugene "Gene" Wiggers
July 11, 1932 - December 16, 2015
Those who knew me will realize that I am on another volunteer assignment. This time, for the Lord.
"Until we meet again, There is no goodbye"
Derald Eugene "Gene" Wiggers was born on July 11th, 1932 in Corry, Erie County Pennsylvania, the oldest son of Albert William Wiggers and Vivian Elizabeth Watson-Wiggers. Gene passed into his "Heavenly Volunteer Assignment" on December 16th, 2015. He survived life-threatening pancreatic cancer in 1993, but lost a short but vigilant battle with Acute Guillain-Barre Syndrome last December.
Gene had a career as an instructor in Nursing Education at a number of hospital, associate degree and baccalaureate programs, including King's County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA, Ricks College (Now BYUI) in Rexburg, and Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID
After becoming disabled due to a life-threatening illness in 1993, he became a frequent volunteer. Among his many other volunteer activities, he served on the Board of Directors for the Crosswinds Chapter of the American Red Cross, United Way of SE Idaho, Valley Pride, The Greater Pocatello Senior Center, and Pocatello "Zoo Trackers", chairing the latter two. He was also appointed to the AARP Idaho State Leadership Council, the Medical Care Advisory Council of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and RSVP. He produced the senior's TV program "AARP Idaho Presents" and "Dreams and Schemes with Gene" on Cable Access Channel 12 and volunteered for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pocatello Chamber of Commerce and Portneuf Medical Center. He taught children to read at Syringa and Edahow Elementary schools in the "America Reads" RSVP program. He also arranged for housing of members of the International Folk Dance Festival and helped organize the New Knowledge Adventures program at ISU as well as help start the annual Southeast Idaho Senior Games.
He often said that he would rather "wear out than rust out." He also claimed that he never did either because he was well "oiled" by the appreciative, giving and generous nature of the other volunteers he worked with, whose selfless service tended to change lives, including his.
He was a convert member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and a member of the Highland Eleventh Ward. He served in numerous church leadership and service positions during his lifetime. He could always be seen in the choir and was a loyal member. Singing was a passion of his and he passed this down as his legacy.
Some of our best memories of our "Opa" were the phrases he would use. Including, "What am I, chopped liver?", and "Ahh, I love ya, Darlin'," He would always be at the top of the stairs in his best gold button vest waiting for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Our family would like to thank all of our friends and family for the love and support they have shown us. Especially to our mom, or "Oma". We would like to thank the Portneuf ICU for the impeccable care given to our Opa. Especially Nurse Amber. She was patient with our endless questions. We will never forget her ability to speak fluent "Ventilator", to help us communicate with Opa in those fragile last days. Last, to Bob and Brenda Cornelison, our family thanks you.
Missing our Father, Husband, Brother, Uncle and Opa will be his "Lovely Lady" Edith (Freter) Wiggers of Pocatello ID and his seven (yes, SEVEN!) daughters. Karen Neuer (Wally) of Corfu, NY, Sue Mazur (Marty) of Tonawanda NY, Laurel Blackstone of Boise, ID, Amy Story Larson (Kirk) of Nampa, ID, Heidi Vesser (Joe) of Marysville, WA, Vivian Conner (Shawn) of Pocatello ID, Melissa Peterson (Josh) of Boise, ID, along with beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also missing him greatly, his brother, Albert William Wiggers (Anita) of Canyon Lake, TX and his sister Deanna Yvonne Bartholme (Bart) of Liberty Township OH.
As per Dad's wishes, our family had a small, private interment on December 18th, 2015, at the Mountain View Cemetery.
Family, Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend a memorial service that will be held on January 30th at 11 am at the Fairway LDS Church Building at 2000 South Fairway Drive. Any inquiries about the memorial should be directed to Vivian Conner at isaviv39@gmail.com. There is also an event created on Facebook.
Also according to Dad's wishes, there are to be no flowers. Donations may be made to the Greater Pocatello Senior Citizen's Center in his name to 427 N 6th Ave Pocatello ID 83201