DUCHESNE/WALNUT CREEK, CALIF. – Wiggo Frederick Axelgard passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2009 in Walnut Creek, Calif., after a brief illness. Born Sep. 26, 1919 in Duchesne, Utah, one of seven children born to Christian and Karen Axelgard. The family moved to Price where Christian operated a creamery, and Wiggo learned the dairy business while excelling in sports at Carbon High.
He joined the service soon after Pearl Harbor, along with his brothers, and proudly served his country in the Pacific theater as a US Marine. His four years in the Corps supplied a foundation for the rest of his life.
After an honorable discharge, Wiggo married the love of his life Verna Wilmyrth Robbins, in July 1946. They enjoyed 59 years of marital bliss. He earned a Master’s Degree in Dairy Science at Utah State University which led to a 30 year career with Foremost Dairies.
He and Verna had the unique experience of working internationally for many years, raising three children while living in Japan, Taiwan, Iran and Greece. He returned to California and worked there for Foremost-McKesson until his retirement in 1984.
Wiggo was very proud of his family and actively supported all they chose to do. Education was a high priority and his children all gained advanced degrees. By the gleam in his eye and joy in his voice, Wiggo showed his deep love of his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He loved dropping by BYU to share a meal and slip a few extra dollars to a struggling student.
His other passions in retirement were wintering in Florida with dear friends; digitizing old pictures on his iMac; and renewing the Robbins family home in Huntington. Wiggo saw much of the world, but his heart never left Carbon and Emery County, Utah. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him and loved him.
He is survived by his daughter Karen “Kaye” Axelgard-Reeves of Benicia, Calif.; sons Frederick W. Axelgard (married to Robyn) of Aldie,Va., and C.T. Axelgard of Valencia, Calif.; brother A.T. “Bill” Axelgard of Provo, Utah; brother-in-law F. Dale Robbins of Salt Lake City; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Verna R. Axelgard, in July 2005.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Huntington LDS Stake Center, Huntington, Utah, where a viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. There is also a viewing at the Millcreek LDS Stake Center, 420 East 4220 South, Salt Lake City, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. Burial will be at the Huntington Cemetery in the care of Fausett Mortuary.
Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Wiggo at www.fausettmortuary.com. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2379 District 6 (147 W. Main) Price, UT 84501, and American Legion Post 73 District 5 (P.O. Box 125) Cleveland, UT 84518.
Duchesne/Walnut Creek, California-Wiggo Frederick Axelgard passed away peacefully on September 23, 2009 in Walnut Creek, California, after a brief illness. Born September 26th, 1919 in Duchesne, Utah, one of seven children born to Christian and Karen Axelgard. The family moved to Price where Christian operated a creamery, and Wiggo learned the dairy business while excelling in sports at Carbon High. He joined the service soon after Pearl Harbor, along with his brothers, and proudly served his country in the Pacific theater as a US Marine. His four years in the Corps supplied a foundation for the rest of his life.
After an honorable discharge, Wiggo married the love of his life Verna Wilmyrth Robbins, in July 1946. They enjoyed fifty-nine years of marital bliss. He earned a Master’s Degree in Dairy Science at Utah State University which led to a thirty-year career with Foremost Dairies. He and Verna had the unique experience of working internationally for many years, raising three children while living in Japan, Taiwan, Iran and Greece. He returned to California and worked there for Foremost-McKesson until his retirement in 1984.
Wiggo was very proud of his family and actively supported all they chose to do. Education was a high priority and his children all gained advanced degrees. By the gleam in his eye and joy in his voice, Wiggo showed his deep love of his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He loved dropping by BYU to share a meal and slip a few extra dollars to a struggling student. His other passions in retirement were wintering in Florida with dear friends; digitizing old pictures on his iMac; and renewing the Robbins family home in Huntington. Wiggo saw much of the world, but his heart never left Carbon and Emery County, Utah. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him and loved him.
He is survived by his daughter Karen “Kaye” Axelgard-Reeves of Benicia, California; sons Frederick W. Axelgard (married to Robyn) of Aldie,Virginia, and C.T. Axelgard of Valencia, California; brother A.T. “Bill” Axelgard of Provo, Utah; brother-in-law F. Dale Robbins of Salt Lake City; 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Verna R. Axelgard, in JULY 2005.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 2, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Huntington LDS Stake Center, Huntington, Utah, where a viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. There is also a viewing at the Millcreek LDS Stake Center, 420 E. 4220 S., Salt Lake City, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 1. Burial will be at the Huntington Cemetery in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Wiggo at www.fausettmortuary.com. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2379 District 6 (147 W. Main) Price, UT 84501, and American Legion Post 73 District 5 (P.O. Box 125) Cleveland, UT 84518.
Wiggo Frederick Axelgard 1919-2009
"Wiggo Frederick Axelgard 1919-2009"