Johanna Schenk Vigus

Johanna Schenk Vigus (VanNiekerk) 1931~2025

Johanna, known to all as "Schenke", age 93, passed away January 12, 2025, in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, with family by her side. She passed peacefully after a courageous battle with dementia and respiratory complications. She was born February 22, 1931, in Cedarville, South Africa, the daughter of Gerhardus and Susanna (Engelbrecht) VanNiekerk. She married James Redruth Vigus on Dec. 20, 1958, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Their union was solemnized in the Jordan River Temple on Sept. 17, 1983. She grew up in Natal, South Africa, loved the beach, outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She moved solo to England in her early twenties where she was joined a year later by her dear and lifelong friend, Grace, and from there they were off to Canada. In Calgary she met and married her eternal companion, Jim. She worked for many years as an accountant and office manager for the University of Utah, Lundell Homes, and Walmart.

She became a US citizen in 1973 and held her citizenship dear. During the family's time in South Africa from '73 to '78, she and Jim owned and operated a restaurant in Seaport, Capetown.

She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed spending time fulfilling her church callings. Her church families were a big part of her life for many years. She had a strong conviction of eternal families and was well loved by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Tracy Vigus Wall; brothers Villam and Gert, sisters Sue and Julie, all of South Africa. She is survived by her sons Gareth (Andrea) Vigus of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and Gavin Vigus of Ogden, Utah; grandchildren Whitney and Matthew Wall of Utah: Brenden, Rebecca, Kaeli and Benjamin Vigus of Massachusetts: Ansom Vigus of Utah; great-grandchildren Jaiden Vigus Santos, Kristiana Santos, Noah Vigus Shea, and Noella DeMarco of Massachusetts.

Visiting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 9-10 AM at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah followed by interment from 10:30 - 11:30 AM at Redwood Memorial Estates at 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.