Jeanne Elizabeth Mossman Wiger

life story

The World Lost An Artist

Between late Tuesday, November 2, 2021, and early Wednesday, Jeanne Elizabeth Mossman Wiger (91) breathed her last.

In her long and rich life Jeanne wore many hats among them, social worker, wife (even dare we say pastor’s wife?), mother, educator,anti-racism trainer and activist, bon vivant, counselor, friend, spiritual guide, author, world traveler, feminist, gadfly, storyteller, family matriarch, and probably many more. But whatever hat she donned, she always wore the heart of an artist. An artist is called to notice the world and show it to the rest of us in new and surprising ways. Jeanne did this this in her watercolors, collages, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. She also did it in the therapy she led, the stories she told, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave and the life she lived.

Jeanne was born July 17,1930 to Ella and Lou Mossman and grew up in Glenwood and St. Paul. She graduated Central H.S., received her bachelors degree from Luther College, and was in the first MFA/M.Ed cohort at MSU. She was a certified member of the International Transactional Analysis Association, a licensed Marriage and Family Counselor and a PHD from Columbia Pacific University.

Jeanne was preceded in death by a miscarried child, her long time husband, Alfred, her brother James Frank, Ame Wiger and Elizabeth (Biz) Wiger. She is survived by her three sons, their spouses, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren , sister-in-law, and more loved ones than can be imagined.

Tuesday night

Because Abbott Northwestern Hospital had a restrictive covid related visitor policy and my brother Joel was already in, I went to work on Tuesday but, admittedly, was not very productive. On my way home I dropped off a picture at the hospital and then voted (which would have pleased Jeanne). I checked in again with Joel who got special permission for me to visit and to stay past regular hours. I had some supper, packed a bag and went in. It was a special night. The nurses had disconnected all the monitors and tubes. The lights were dim and the noises were hushed. I pulled up a chair and held Mom's hand and stoked her hair and caressed her cheek. I do not have much of a gift of gab, but for about an hour and a half I told stories and recounted as many memories as I could dredge up and told her of all the people who were thinking of her that night. Finally there was no more to say and I sat and gazed and touched. Slowly over the next hours her labored breathing softened until it was no more.

I sat with her for about 10 minutes, then rang for the nurse. She came in and asked if I needed help and I said "I think so," and nodded to the body. She checked for vitals, then got help to care for my Mother's body. They straightened her and did what I guess you do for the dead. They also cared for me then let me have more time with her. I sat, made some calls, sat again, then packed our possessions, stroked her cheek one last time and said my final goodbye.

The Dr. came in just after midnight to make the official pronouncement of death, but I know that my mother had managed to make her exit at the witching hour on November 2 - the Day of the Dead.

Many thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff on the eighth floor of Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Their caring and grace as shown to my mother and myself help make this the good death it was. I am still grieving and it is still hard, but much less hard because of their kindness.

memorial service

Memorial Service

November 12, 2021

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 700 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116, USA

Visitation will start at 1:00. The service is at 2:00 with light refreshment and conversation to follow. The service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/c/gloriadeistpaul/live.

Jeanne was a firm believer in vaccines. If you are not vaccinated the family requests that you participate online.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services