Dr. Oliver E. "Woody" Wiger

1932 - 2024

Dr. Oliver "Woody" E. Wiger, 92-year-old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Highland Senior Living in Little Falls, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN with Bob Mueller and Rev. Beth Pottratz officiating. Burial will take place in Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 9-11 A.M. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Morrison County Chaplaincy or the building fund at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls or the foundation of your choice. Caring for Dr. Oliver and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN.

Dr. Wiger, known as Woody by family and friends was born in Twin Valley, MN on July 8, 1932 to Oliver and Thilda (Urdahl) Wiger. He graduated in 1950 from Twin Valley High School. Woody received his undergraduate degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1954. Following graduation, Woody joined the US Army and worked as a Medical technician. He received his Medical Degree, MD from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX in 1962. Woody met the love of his life on December 31, 1957 at a barn dance in Halstad, MN, and married her on June 13, 1959. They celebrated their 65 years of marriage together. Jan and Woody had five children. In 1963, Woody and Jan moved to Little Falls where Woody began his practice at the Broadway Medical Clinic. Dr. Wiger also served as Morrison County Coroner and Morrison County Jail Doctor. He retired from the Family Medical Clinic in 1998. He emphasized building long-term relationships with his patients and their families.

Woody was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, reading, photography, music, and spending time with family at the lake. He was president of the Little Falls Rifle and Pistol Club for 16 years. Woody enjoyed the companionship of "the guys" playing pool at the senior center and morning coffee times at Coborn's along with attending men's Bible study.

Woody is survived by his wife, Janice and their five children: Greg (Susan), Karla (Robert Kalinsky), Eric (Lisa), Julie (Tom Bauman) and Dr. Krista Wiger. Woody and Jan have 10 grandchildren, Christopher (Emily) and Sarah, Benjamin and Allison, Ashley and Hannah, Bo and Brady, Zachary and Luke; and a great-grandchild, William.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Arlin and Harvey.

The Wigers wish to express deep gratitude to the staff of Comfort Keepers, Highland Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for the incredibly compassionate care shown to Oliver and his family.