In Loving Memory
Alden Wigdahl

VISITATION
Thursday, January 21, 2016
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Friday, January 22, 2016
10:30 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Tom Summerfield

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Alden Eugene Wigdahl was born in Spencer, Iowa May 24, 1921, the son of Leonard Johannes Wigdahl and Nettie Louise Knutsen Wigdahl.  The family farmed southeast of Ruthven where Alden attended rural schools.  In 1936 they moved to their present location in Silver Lake township and he attended Ayrshire Consolidated School, graduating in 1939.

After spending a year at home, helping with the farm, Alden attended ISU until he was drafted into the US Army.  He served 3 1/2 years as a medical corpsman and spent a period of time in the European Theater in France and Germany.  After being honorably discharged following WWII Alden completed his degree at ISU in Farm Operations and Animal Science in 1948.

During his time at Iowa State, he met Elsie Elaine Paysen at Memorial Lutheran Church.  Alden and Elsie were married at Clinton, Iowa on September 26, 1948. They returned to the farm where they lived and loved and raised their four children: Diane, Barb, Susie and Jeff.   Their faithful commitment to them continued through the years as they raised their own families.

In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Alden served his community. He served on the Zion Lutheran Church board, the Ayrshire School board, the Ruthven Care Center Board of Directors and was a charter member of the Iowa Lakes Community College board.   He was a loyal friend to many, and always there for people with a generous helping hand.

Alden passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa, at the age of 94. He was preceded by parents Leonard and Nettie and daughter, Barb Hansen.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie; children Diane (Rich) Stribe, Susie (Jim) Kozlowski, Jeff (Sandy) Wigdahl and Elmer Hansen; grandchildren Nancy Stribe, Mary Stribe, Melissa Stribe, Josh Hansen, Michael Hansen, Heidi Hansen, Kelsey Kozlowski, Jack Kozlowski, Cal Kozlowski, Melody Wigdahl, Justin Wigdahl, Nathaniel Wigdahl, Hannah Wigdahl, April Wigdahl, Lydia Wigdahl; and twelve great grandchildren.

Alden's life was a model of kindness, patience, and generosity and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home