Orwill J. Wigen Jr., age 74 of Tracy, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018 at Sanford Tracy Medical Center. Memorial Services was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 16 at the United Methodist Church in Tracy with Pastor David Erickson officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the Hansonville Cemetery at Hendricks. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Orwill J. Wigen Jr. was born September 25, 1943 to Orwill Sr. and Myrtle (Furness) Wigen in Hendricks, Minnesota and lived on the family farm. He attended country school and later graduated from Hendricks High School in 1961. Orwill worked at several different places in Marshall including Marshall Foods, Deutz & Crow, Marshall Processing, Marshall Fur Farm, and Marshall Produce.
In July of 1962, Orwill met the love of his life Lorraine Haney while they were both employed by Marshall Produce. They were sent on a blind date by Lorraine’s sister, Harriet Reese. Orwill and Lorraine later married on September 29, 1962 and they were married for 56 years. To this union five daughters were born, Wendy, Caroline, Michelle, Kelly, and Mary Jo, who passed away due to a car accident on July 4, 1996. Orwill,“Jr,” or “Sarge” as he liked to be called, went into the Army and was stationed up in St. Bonifacius, MN at a Nike Missile Base. When he was there he also became their cook. Jr was there from October 18, 1963-July 22, 1966. He enjoyed working in his wood shop, gunsmithing, boating and fishing. He enjoyed stock car racing until he had his accident in 1968. Because of the accident, Jr spent several years in different hospitals. He was a member of the American Legion for 47 years which he greatly enjoyed, and was the manager of the Legion until it was sold to others. Jr was a member of the Tracy Presbyterian Church, and he belonged to the Eagles, the 40&8, and Paralyzed Veterans of America organizations. Orwill was the Commander for Post 173, for many years, District Vice Commander for area D, District Commander from 2000-2001, District 7 Adjutant for 13 years and he also served as Department of Minnesota Vice Commander. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his pets: Schnapps, Windsor, and Snowball.
Orwill is survived by his wife Lorraine; daughters: Wendy (Ron) Coyle of Tracy, Caroline (Floyd) Lacek of Canby, Michelle (Dan) Kerkaert of Russell, Kelly (Darren) Jacob of Tracy; 11 grandchildren; 2 stepgrandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister Clara (Doug) Groenhoff of Canby; brother Martin (Viney) Wigen of Luverne; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary Jo, sister Mary Bonde, four uncles, two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and one nephew.