Esther Wigton

Esther J. Wigton, 88, Bismarck, formerly of Steele, passed away July 1, 2004 after a lengthy illness. Her family was at her side. Services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Steele, with the Rev. Joel Winckler officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele. Visitation will be from 1-5 PM Monday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck and one hour prior to the service at the church. She was born Esther Juanita Tompt on July 9, 1915 in LaMoure, ND. Esther attended schools in Driscoll before moving on to Jamestown College, where she gained her associate teaching degree. She taught schools at various locations throughout North Dakota, beginning with a one-room school house and concluding her career with a long stint as a teacher in Steele. She retired in 1980, but continued to substitute teach until 1985. Esther retired to Fargo in 1985 and moved to Bismarck in 2001. Esther married Louis Wigton on June 27, 1941 in Breckenridge, MN. The couple had four children over the years, and made their home in St. Cloud, MN, when Louis finished his military service during World War II. They moved to Steele in 1960. Louis passed away in 1969. Esther was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Steele, the Homemakers Club and many other school and social organizations. She will be remembered as a favorite teacher by hundreds of students she taught over the years, especially in Steele. During her retirement years, Esther loved to travel and visit her family and grandkids as often as possible. She wrote poetry and kept in touch with friends she had made since childhood. Esther was an outstanding seamstress, and also kept busy following sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Esther is survived by her four loving children, Kari Clark and husband, Dick, of Malibu, CA, Debra Wigton Struble and family of Middleton, WI, Rob Wigton and his wife, Kari, and family of Gardnerville, NV, and Jodi Stone and her husband, Pat, and family of Shasta Lake, CA. She is also survived by sisters, Ethel Anderson of Fargo, Doris Elness of Bismarck, and Elsie Hannon of Camarillo CA; her brother, Edwin Tompt of Homestead, MT; her grandchildren, Kristina and Kara Stone, Peter and Katie Struble, Kirby and Shane Wigton, Jeff Knight, and Richard, Duane, and Cindy Clark; and great grandchildren, Piers and Anje Clark. Esther will be remembered as a woman who lived life graciously and with a very strong faith in God. She was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother. She touched the hearts of all who knew her, and will be sadly missed by all. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Esther's name.

Esther Wigton

July 9, 1915 - July 1, 2004