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In Memory

Dean Wigington - Class of 1955

Idaho State Journal, 06/30/09

MONTPELIER — Dean Richard Wigington, 72, of Montpelier,Idaho, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at the Ogden Regional Medical Center, Ogden,Utah, as a result of complications associated with liver disease and diabetes. Dean was born July 2nd, 1936, in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, to Lester “Bud” Wigington and Norma (Wilcox). Bud supported his family driving truck to build roads in Yellowstone National Park during the Depression years. Dean is the oldest of four siblings: Lynn, Robert “Bob,” Nell and Paul. 
Dean grew up in Montpelier, Idaho, and graduated in 1955 from Montpelier High School where he met Claudia Lewis of Dingle, Idaho. They were married in 1956. Dean, though one year older than Claudia, graduated with her class because of missing most of an entire year of school due to hepatitis when he was 12 years old; this was the source of his liver problems during the later years of his life. Except for a short time in Logan, Dean and Claudia lived their entire married life in Montpelier where they raised a family of four children: Michael (Sheryl) of Milwaukee, Wis.; Kelly (Jan) of Providence; Utah, Leslie (Mike Blauer) of Declo, Idaho; and Brent (Laura) of American Fork, Utah.

Dean enjoyed automobiles, and his lifetime of employment reflected that. As a teenager, he worked at the Conoco service station on the corner of Main and Eighth Street. As a young married man, he drove a delivery truck for Wonder Bread. Later, he supported his young family by selling car parts to area service stations for Motor Supply. Ultimately, he found his greatest passion in selling automobiles and trucks for Jensen Wood Motor, where he eventually retired.

Dean and Claudia couldn’t have been a better matched couple. They loved people and always had an open door at their home. Through the years, Claudia was always by his side. Her focus was on rearing their children but faithfully supported Dean in his employment and his many assignments and callings in the LDS Church as well. He served 16 years first as a counselor and then as Bishop of the Montpelier 1st Ward. He also served 14 years as a councilor to two Stake Presidents in the Montpelier South Stake Presidency. Dean was instrumental in leading the ward congregation to get church approval and raise funds to build the new Montpelier 1st and 4th Ward meetinghouse in 1977. Dean was an influential leader in many youth programs, including scouting where he received the high honor of the Silver Beaver award.

Every element of Dean was an Idaho country boy whose fondest pastimes always involved fishing, hunting, 4-wheeling, mountain scenery and the good people of the Bear Lake Valley. In recent years Dean and Claudia served a service mission for The Church at the Bishops’ Storehouse in Montpelier and they conducted Sunday meeting services at the Montpelier Senior Care Center. He also enjoyed helping out as a member of the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Foundation and contributed greatly to the Foundation’s success through numerous fundraising efforts.

Dean is survived by his wife Claudia; sister, Nell; three (3) sons; 17 grandchildren; and five (5) greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Leslie, who he has missed dearly. Dean will be remembered for his special enthusiasm for the things that matter most in this life, especially people, and his deep devotion to God and his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Thursday, July 2, at the Montpelier 1st Ward Chapel at 485 S. 7th Street in Montpelier. Interment will be at the Montpelier cemetery following.