James Louis Wiggs

James Louis Wiggs, 85, patriarch of the Wiggs family, passed away Dec. 8, 2017, surrounded by his family.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of the Holy Cross Parish, 3012 Jackson St. in Sioux City, with the Rev. David Hemann officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a rosary at 6 p.m., and a parish vigil will begin at 7 p.m., at the Larkin Chapel of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, 2320 Outer Drive North, Sioux City. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.christysmith.com .
Our dad was born at home in Struble, Iowa, on April 5, 1932, to Hamilton Alvin and Dorothy Ann (Weis) Wiggs.
He was a member of the inaugural graduating class of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in 1950. Dad served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954 obtaining the rank of Sergeant.
He met the love of his life, our mom, Joanne Martin, at a church picnic and proposed three months later. They were married May 7, 1955, a love that lasted 62 years.
Dad was a salesman for Hygrade, IBP and Packerland before going into business for himself and retiring in 1999.
He enjoyed playing golf (even though he was a horrible golfer), a good dirty martini, beating everyone in cribbage and watching baseball. Additionally, Dad was a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Sierra Club, Elks Club and American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Marie Wiggs; son, Roy Wiggs and his wife, Michelle; son, Mark Wiggs and his wife, Michelle; daughter, Diane Emerick and her husband, Robert; daughter, Karen Timm and her husband, Roger; siblings, Arlen Wiggs and his wife, Patty, David Wiggs and his wife, Vera, Nancy Phillips and her husband, Tom, and Mary Trometer and her husband, Gary; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He is survived by his cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Charles.
Go in peace, Dad. We love you.
Memorials can be made in his memory to the Sunrise Retirement Community.