Ruth Alma Wigger First (1921-1986)

FIRST, WIGGER, GADE, ACKERMANN, FUNK, CHRISTOFFERSEN

Posted By: Sharon Lindbloom (email)
Date: 1/11/2026 at 16:17:39

SOURCE: MIDLAND TIMES, WYOMING, IOWA, JULY 18, 1986, PAGE 4
RUTH A FIRST
Ruth A. First, 65 of Wyoming, died July 8 at the Jackson County Public Hospital in Maquoketa.

She was born Feb. 14, 1821 [?1921], near Stanwood, the daughter of Ernest and Helene Gade Wigger. She lived most of her younger years in the Olin area, graduating from Olin High School in 1938.

On Oct 28, 1942, she married Donald First at St. John's Lutheran Church in Olin. The couple lived most of their married lives on farms in the Monticello and Wyoming areas.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Monticello and the Midland Homemakers Club.

Survivors are her husband; one son, Greg First of McGregor; three daughters, Jorja Ackermann of Tensleep, Wyo., Dona Funk of Mililani, Hawaii and Patsy Christoffersen of Provo, Utah; 11 grandchildren; one brother, Ray Schaefer of Morley and one sister, Esther Obermeier of Fayetteville, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one son.
Pallbearers were Michael First, Aaron First, Eugene Bahnsen, Wayne Vernon, John Sanford and Jerold Anderson. Honorary bearers were Donald Ackermann, Paul Funk and John Christoffersen.