Omer Gilmore Wigern, 90, of Kiester died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. The Rev. Katie Pals will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Our Savior’s Cemetery in Kiester. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kiester. Military honors will be accorded by Kiester American Legion Post No. 454. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kiester. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com.

Omer was born May 13, 1926, in McIntosh, the son of Anton and Palma (Johnson) Wigern. Omer was baptized June 13, 1926, at Bethel Lutheran in Polk County, and confirmed Nov. 10, 1940 at Immanuel Lutheran in Kiester. Omer honorably served in the United States Army during World War II, stationed in Japan.

He was united in marriage to Marie L. Mischke on March 19, 1950, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Evergreen. To this union three daughters were born: Linda, Elaine and Laurie. Omer worked at the Kiester Grain Elevator and the meat packing plant in Albert Lea. Omer was the caretaker for seven cemeteries in the area and for 23 yards in Kiester. He was a John Deere man to the end. Omer possessed a strong work ethic which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was an avid gardener, and he was famous for his lefse. He enjoyed fishing and watching sports on TV. His pride and joy were his grandchildren Tony, Rachel, Abby and Morgan and two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Briannah.

Omer was a grateful man and he maintained his gratitude even in the midst of his illness and struggle. He was very generous to his family and would give to others in need before himself.

Omer is survived by his daughters Elaine Perleberg of Kiester and Laurie (Daniel) Meyer of Apple Valley; special friend, Ardel Dahling of Albert Lea, who faithfully cared for Omer in his last years of life; four grandchildren, Tony (Michelle) Stangeland of Albert Lea, Rachel Meyer (fiance, Ian Behlke) of Minneapolis, Abby Meyer (fiance, Jake McDade) of Maplewood, Morgan Meyer of Apple Valley; great-grandchildren Tyler and Briannah Stangeland; siblings Garnet (Kenneth) Rajewsky of Bowman, North Dakota, and  Lee Ann (James) Kronlokken of Eden Prairie; sister-in-law, Martha (Ken) Gausman of Cokato; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Linda Wigern in 1967; wife, Marie in 2001; siblings Albe Wigern, Esther (William) Rasmussen and Elvira (Hilbert) Lahs; sisters-in-law Laura (Hugo) Illg, Lydia (Wilbert) Sperling, Louise (Pete) Galkin; and brother-in-law, Leonard (Valerie) Mischke.