Ida Elsie Kageler's Obituary
Ida Elsie Kageler passed away Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009, of congestive heart failure. Ida was born March 4, 1920 of parents William and Anna Haack in their home in Oregon City, OR. Her parents had immigrated from Novgorod, Russia in 1913, and her dad was a cutter for the Oregon City Woolen Mills for 43 years. Ida was the middle of 3 children, with Ruth the older sister and Ed the younger brother. During the tough years of the Depression, she lived with her Aunt Jean and Uncle Harry Quade for a year. She learned to play the piano quite well, and later the organ at Trinity Baptist Church in Portland. Her family spoke both English and German in the home. She graduated from Franklin High School in Portland, OR in 1938. One night while roller skating with a friend, she met one of the instructors, who later asked her to marry him. She married Ernest A. Wigle on February 14, 1942. He became a civilian employee of the U.S. Army and they moved to New Jersey. After a couple of years, they moved to Sacramento, CA until 1958, when they moved to Tacoma, WA. During their 40 years of marriage the two of them raised four boys. She worked during the early years as an Adding Machine Operator and a Stenographer in between raiser her children. The highlight of their travels was a trip to England and Germany to visit relatives in 1971. She was widowed in 1982.
While the kids grew up, they enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and visiting several national parks. The sons remember well be flooded out at Twanoh State Park one time, and having a bear come through their camp site at Ohanapecosh State Park another time. She was also active in their local garden club for a number of years, and enjoyed her flower beds ever so much.
Ida was active in Calvary Baptist Church in Tacoma for more than 45 years. She served on many committees and was very active in visitation. People remember her as a gracious hostess, a mentor to younger women and a woman of faith and prayer. Her faith and practice were meshed together into the reality of life. She was committed to ensuring her children had the opportunity to know the Lord as she knew Him. As dementia took hold during her final months in the nursing home, it was amazing to hear her sing along with church hymns that she could still remember the words to.
At 81 years old, Ida met the second love of her life, and married Melvin Kageler on December 29, 2001 after a year of courtship. She was widowed again 7 months later after an accident. They shared many wonderful memories during that short time.
Ida is survived by her four sons, William E. Wigle and wife Joan of Fallbrook CA, Vernon D. Wigle and wife Joy of Chaska MN, Gary B. Wigle and wife Linda of Covington WA, and Glenn C. Wigle of Shelton WA; and two sister-in laws Ethyl Kageler and Alice McGee. Her nine grandchildren include Elsa Wigle, Tammy Wigle, Susan Wigle, Zach Wigle, Seth Wigle, Luke Wigle, Brian Wigle, Jessica Pena, and Nick Wigle. Her eight great-grandchildren include William Foley, Jose Arteaga-Wigle, Liliana Arteaga-Wigle, Alex Wigle, Mallory Wigle, Genevee Wigle, Jack Pena, and Lucy Pena. She was preceded in death by her brother Edwin Haack and sister Ruth Zenger, both of Portland OR.
The family will conduct a private service to spread her ashes in the same place of her first husband Ernie.
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