Gladys E. Wiggins

Gladys E. Wiggins, 85, of Bridgeport, died Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport with Father David Rykwalder officiating. Burial will follow at the Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery at Bridgeport.

Visitation was held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church. A Vigil Service was held at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the church with Father David Rykwalder officiating. Memorials may be given to All Souls Catholic Church. Bridgeport Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Tributes may be left at http://www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com

Gladys was born Aug. 4, 1930, at Dalton, to Ben and Irene (Beyer) Loxterkamp. She graduated from Dalton High School with the Class of 1947. During her senior year and the year after graduation she was employed at the Dalton Memorial Hospital. She attended Teachers Normal Training at Chadron in 1949. For three years she taught at Meadow Lawn School west of Dalton and Eastwood School north of Broadwater. She was united in marriage to Allen Wiggins on May 26, 1951, at Dalton. The couple made their home on farms near Broadwater and Lisco before moving to Bridgeport in 1971. Gladys cared for her husband faithfully in sickness and in health during the final 7 years of his life.

Gladys was a member of the Sunshine Extension Club for many years. She was employed as a housekeeper at the Morrill County Community Hospital for over 24 years, 16 years as the department head. Gladys was an active member of All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, member of the Council of Catholic Women in which she served in many capacities, and a devoted member of the Spiritual Enrichment Team. She had a deep devotion and love of her faith all her life.

Gladys' greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed supporting them and attended many of their athletic and school events. She enjoyed her flowers and working in her yard. She was honored with the yard award in 1995. She also enjoyed crafts, sewing, reading, and crossword puzzles. Gladys enjoyed going for drives, big family get togethers, having visitors, and especially the Sunday evening supper and dominoes and hand and foot at Lee and Debbie's home or Evelyn Kraupie's apartment.

The family would like to thank Sue Wiggins for all her love and care for Gladys and the family these past five years. Special thanks to her current care givers Regina Rhodes and Misty Cooke as well as the Meals on Wheels volunteers from the Hospital. You all held a special place in Gladys' heart.

Gladys is survived by her children Dianne (Chad) Budge of Jackson, Wyo., Steve (Sue) Wiggins of Bridgeport, Cleve (Linda) Wiggins of Broadwater, Donna (Dick) Peetz of Scottsbluff, Lee (Debbie) Wiggins of Bridgeport, and Jerry (Jolene) Wiggins of Gothenburg; grandchildren Marc Masid, Luke Masid, Rebekkah (Marc) Kelley, Kanton (Stephanie) Budge, Tonnie (Barbara) Wiggins, Joel Wiggins, Miles Wiggins, Caleb (Courtney) Wiggins, Russell Bennett, Rodney (Olga) Bennett, Ronald Bennett, David (Carrie) Wiggins, Joanna Wiggins, Travis (Michelle) Peetz, Trevor (Jamie) Peetz, Josh (Stephanie) Schmidt, Jerrod Schmidt, Janae Wiggins, and Jacey Wiggins; 22 great-grandchildren (plus another on the way); two great-great-grandchildren; brothers Leonard (Virginia) Loxterkamp of Gering, Don (LaDonna) Loxterkamp of Lisco, and Kenneth (Naomi) Loxterkamp of Broadwater; sisters-in-law Clara Jordan, Doris Wiggins, and Genny Marick; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Irene Loxterkamp, husband Allen Wiggins on Aug. 5, 1992, great-grandson Cameron Wiggins on July 5, 2001.

We love you Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Great-Great-Grandma!