Joel David Wiegert

1928 - 2020

Joel David Wiegert, 91, passed away peacefully April 16, 2020, surrounded by his family and loved ones at his home in Sun City West, Arizona. Defying all odds, he survived a record setting battle with a rare form of leukemia (AML) for over three years, starting chemotherapy treatment at age 88. His strength and endurance amazed medical professionals and inspired his family.

Joel is survived by his children Kathy (Joe) Roberts, Ted (Camille) Wiegert, Barbara Hale and Jackie Tanghe; grandchildren Kayla and Megan Roberts, Montana (Kevin) Morris, Tyler (Courtney) Hale, Cameron Hale, Ryan (Melissa) Sollee, Esa (Scott) Woodland; and great-grandchildren Audrey and Sam Hale, Clementine and Flora Sollee, Ariberre Woodland; his brother Thomas (Olga) Wiegert; and his fiancé Doris Lener. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Nannie Wiegert, his son Charles Gabe Wiegert and his beloved wife Nancy Wiegert.

Joel was born in Conrad, Montana, Aug. 5, 1928, and grew up in Montana and Grandview, Washington. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1947, and in July, he promptly set out for Fairbanks, Alaska, with two friends in a 1928 Model A Ford. He arrived in Fairbanks with less than $1 in his pocket.

Over the years, he delighted in recalling the details of that adventurous story to his family.

Joel found work immediately with Laborers Local 942. He worked all summer building housing units on Eielson AFB. He became the involved in the management of the Local union as a business agent during 1949 and was promoted to business manager in 1951. He prided himself in knowing the name of each member of his Local. In 1966, he was promoted to regional manager of the Laborers Union and left Fairbanks for Seattle. He excelled in his career and was promoted to 7th Vice President of the Laborers International Union by the time he retired in 1985.

Joel was in on the ground floor of the labor movement in Alaska, and on behalf of the Laborers' Union was an integral part of the negotiations for the agreement covering the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. One of his proudest achievements was helping to pass the Unemployment Insurance bill in the Alaska Legislature, making it easier for construction workers to spend winters in Alaska. He also was instrumental in establishing the Health and Welfare and Pension funds for Alaska Laborers, bringing financial security to many Alaskans.

He was charismatic, tough and kind all at once, and he had a gift for making difficult situations seem easily handled. He had a talent for telling stories and putting people at ease.

Joel retired very shortly after the loss of his beloved wife Nancy. Once retired, he focused on his boating and fishing passions shared with Nancy and his family.

He was blessed with many lifelong friends whom he loved entertaining on his boat. He was an outstanding fisherman and cook.

Joel also loved golf and eventually settled in Sun City West, where he honed his skills over many years, winning an octogenarian tournament at age 84. He made friends easily, and enjoyed his life with his fiancée Doris.

He will be remembered as a man who followed his own instincts, whether popular or not. As a father and grandfather, he always had your back and was there for you in quiet strength, making you feel valued and loved.

He was laid to eternal rest with his beloved wife Nancy, Aug. 6, 2022, in Eugene Oregon.

His life was improved and extended by many blood donations.

Please know this is an important need to help people with leukemia and other blood diseases in your community.