Jeanette V. Wigtil

Jeanette V. Wigtil, 91, Moorhead, MN, died March 27, 2007, in the Villa Maria, Fargo, ND, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Jeanette Victoria Helgren was born to Arthur and Emma (Danielson) Helgren on March 29, 1915, in Parkers Prairie, MN. In 1919, she moved with her parents to a farm near Moorhead. She graduated from Dilworth (MN) High School in 1933 then attended Interstate Business College, Fargo.

On July 11, 1937, Jeanette married J. Vernon Wigtil in Fargo. She worked for the Fairmont Creamery, American News, Gamble Skogmo, and the Fargo Paper Company. Jeanette then assisted her husband as a secretary in his public accounting business for several years.

Jeanette was a member of the River Valley Church, Moorhead, serving as a Sunday school teacher and choir member. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Jeanette was dearly loved by her grandchildren who hold many special memories in their hearts, especially the summers spent with her as kids.

She is survived by her beloved husband of sixty-nine years, Vernon; a son, Dr. James (Dr. JoAnne) Wigtil, Fargo; grandchildren, Julie (Terry) Bernthold, Columbus, OH, Jon (Heidi) Wigtil, Pataskala, OH; step-great-grandchildren, Joshua and Andrew Bernthold, Lancaster, OH; sisters, Vivian (Wallace) Charles, Minneapolis, MN, Violet Close, Beaverton, OR, Pearl Snyder, Fresno, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her parents; son, Dennis; two sisters; and three brothers.

The family expresses their appreciation and thanks for the wonderful care provided to Jeanette by the nurses and staff during her stay at the Villa Maria, and by the Hospice nurses and staff during her final days.


Visitation: Sunday from 3 - 6 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, and at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.


Funeral Service: Monday, April 2, 2007, at 11 AM in the River Valley Church, Moorhead.


Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.