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Ruth Vigen
RUTH VIGEN
St. Olaf
1916 – 2014
Ruth Vigen, 98, of Jefferson, formerly of St. Olaf, died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
She was born May 3, 1916, in Finley, N.D., the
daughter of Severt and Ellen Olson Jacobson. On Oct. 22, 1938, she was united in marriage to Maurice Obert Vigen in Portland, N.D. He preceded her in death on July 19, 1999.
She attended State Normal School in Mayville, N.D., and received her teacher's certificate on May 29, 1936. She began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse in North Dakota. She taught in North Dakota for four years before moving to St. Olaf. She than attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette and received her B.A. degree on Aug. 12, 1965.
She had taught grade school for the MFL Community School District for 29 years before her retirement. She couldn't have found a better profession as she loved to teach children and watch them grow. She was often mentioned as a favorite teacher by high school graduates.
She enjoyed doing ceramics and making ceramics for her family. After her retirement she took up oil painting and leaves many beautiful paintings that are cherished by her family. She enjoyed china painting and also enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles and traveling. She loved a good game of cards and always played to win.
She is survived by her children, Karen Bossard (John) of Jefferson, Gene Vigen (Judy) of Elkader, Kasey Vigen (June) of Kansas City, Kan., Kathi Meyer (Al) of Jefferson, Marcus Vigen (Sarah) of Keokuk and Scott Vigen of Kansas City, Kan.; a daughter-in-law, Marianne Vigen Stanard; grandchildren, Darren Vigen, Darice Fink, Kelly DeFrance, Kristine Bossard, Aaron Burlingame, Tim Meyer, Kirk Vigen, Kerrie Bossard, Eric Vigen, Jason Vigen, Cynthia Reynoldson, Melissa Vigen, Matthew Vigen, Joshua Vigen, Christie Beck and Jason Burlingame; many great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Hanson of Mayville, N.D., and Florence Ludwig of Portland, N.D.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students.
She also was preceded in death by twin daughters at birth, Ellen Josephine Vigen and Gloria Patricia Vigen; one son, Otis Vigen; eight sisters, Kristi Crain, Mary Varberg, Esther Johnson, Nettie Christianson, Mildred Johnson, Ingaborg Osland, Agnes Ostlie and Ellen Meyer; and five brothers, Andrew Jacobson, Burt Jacobson, Tom Jacobson, Knut Jacobson and Albert Jacobson.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. Bill Bernau officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church in Jefferson. Funeral services also will be 11 a.m. Monday at Norway Lutheran Church, rural St. Olaf, with the Rev. Ken Kimball officiating. Family will meet with friends one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church in Jefferson or Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf.
The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.vigenmemorial home.com.
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