Estellene Irene Staley Riggen

STALEY, RIGGEN, WOODY, GOEMAAT, WILSON, COLEMAN, STOVER

Posted By: Terry L. Reid (email)
Date: 7/24/2006 at 10:49:20

Estellene Irene Riggen was born on July 26, 1909, in Harvey to Osco and Bessie (Woody) Staley.

Este, as she was better known, lost both of her parents at a very early age. At the age of 12, she went to live with her sister, Blanche and her husband in Chariton. Later they would move back to Harvey where she would meet and marry her husband, James Alonzo Riggen. The couple married on April 24, 1926, and soon after, made their home in Newton. They would again move back to Harvey where they farmed for many years. After their retirement, the couple moved to Park Rapids, Minn. on Two Inlets Lake and later to Crookston, Minn., and in 1989, they moved back to Knoxville. She lost her husband in 1994, after 68 years of marriage. After an accident in 2003, she required physical therapy and was forced to move to West Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. After some progress, she moved in with her daughter in Prescott, Ariz. Further health problems again forced her to move into Patrick Haven Adult Care Home, where she resided until shortly before her death.

Estellene led a very active life. She enjoyed raising her children, and later, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also gardened and crocheted when she had time. She and her good friend, Muriel Goemaat, hunted and trapped. She was said to be a good shot with a .22 pistol. Jim and Este were proud to be members of Eastern Star. At one time, her husband was Worthy Patron while she was Worthy Matron, a position she held more than once. She was also proud of having the title of Grand Officer for the State of Iowa. She enjoyed traveling all over the state representing the Tracy chapter.

Estellene died on Jan. 14, 2006, at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott, Ariz. at the age of 96.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Marvin Staley; sisters, Blanche Wilson and Oral Coleman; sons, Larry and Richard Riggen; grandson, Michael Stover; granddaughter, Thelma Riggen; great-grandson, James Riggen and her beloved Yorkshire, Hercules.

Survivors include her children, James (Flora) Riggen of Waikoloa, Hawaii and Dixie (Aaron) Stover of Prescott, Ariz.; daughters-in-law, Jean Riggen of Knoxville and Mary Anne Riggen of Parump, Nev.; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 27 great great-grandchildren and many other nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Jan. 23 at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home with Chaplain Ron Hays officiating.

Interment was in Graceland Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Knoxville Humane Society.