Hamilton – Jack Wigen, 82, storyteller extraordinaire, jack of all trades, and an honest, kind, gentle, and funny man, went peacefully to be with his God on Thursday, Jan 2nd, 2025.
Jack was born in Shelby, Montana on December 13, 1942. After graduating from Shelby High School, he studied early childhood development at Montana State University-Bozeman before enlisting in the Army. Following his discharge, he returned to his hometown and became a police officer. His many stories from that time were imbued with the integrity that underpinned his deeply felt commitment to truly “serve and protect.”
During that period, he and his first wife Carrol (née Freeman) raised two sons, Michael and Gregg. As new opportunities arose, they first moved to Conrad before he and Carrol finally settled in Hamilton in 1987. An amazingly talented and versatile carpenter by trade, he managed the Hamilton UBC lumber yard before turning his carpentry acumen to building log homes, hotels, and pretty much anything else made of wood. Jack lost Carrol in 1994 after a difficult battle with cancer, but he trusted the path God laid before him.
In 1995, he married Ginny Oliver, the love of his life, and together they pursued adventure. They took long trips to visit family and explore new vistas in Alberta and on both American coasts, where they camped, fished, and hiked.
Jack and Ginny spent two-and-a-half years living in Las Vegas, which was Jack’s home base while he travelled around the country building 300 Starbucks stores, including kiosks in famous museums and even the New York Public Library (often carving his initials into their nooks and crannies!). Thankful to return to the quiet and beauty of his and Ginny’s beloved home on Rose Lane, Jack kept himself busy in retirement by building sawhorses and “birdhouses.”
When it came to his heart and mind, Jack lived “one day at a time as a friend of Bill W” for 48 years. By sharing his stories and well-earned insights, he mentored and encouraged those who listened.
With humility and hope, he was actively involved in his church, where he found peace and comfort. He and Gin went to Christmas Eve service just a week before he left this world. Despite being in great pain and needing to use a walker, he was determined to celebrate Christ’s birth.
His passing was preceded by that of his mother and father, Margit and Elmer; his first wife Carrol; his sister Judy; and his son Michael, who was tragically lost to diabetes in 2003.
He leaves behind Ginny, his beloved wife of almost 30 years; sister Connie, of Cut Bank; brother-in-law Denny Moreen and his family; son Gregg and daughter-in-law Tina; and his two dear granddaughters, Kaitlin and Allison, whom he loved with great pride and will be listening for him as he roars across Heaven on his motorcycle. Jack will also be deeply missed by countless friends throughout the Bitterroot, his woodworking buddy Tana, and the many strangers unknowingly touched by his generosity, warmth, and wit. He is missed already by his precious furry friends: Abbie, Callie, eleven chickens, and two sheep.
Jack, wealthy in every way that mattered, led an incredibly rich life. His memorial will be held at Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m., and his Planting Party will be in early June at the home Jack and Ginny shared for three decades.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be welcomed by Faith Lutheran Church and Bitter Root Humane Association. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.