Llewellyn Jane Wiger

LLEWELLYN JANE WIGER February 2, 1945 ~ October 21, 2017 On February 2nd, 1945, Jane was born to William and Rosemary Teel in Great Falls, Montana. Jane's early life was spent in Cut Bank, Montana. As a teenager, Jane's passion for horses got her started in Barrel Racing. Summers were spent across the state competing in Rodeo's where she won several first-place ribbons. In 1960, the family after a brief move to California, settled in Vancouver, Washington. Jane graduated from Fort Vancouver in 1963. She then attended and graduated from business school and began a ten-year career in the insurance business with Cundari-Lemma located in Portland. During her time with them, she wrote policies for some guy selling shoes out of the trunk of his car, who later founded NIKE. In 1966 she married Ron Wiger. Together they had two children Ronnie and Philip. Later in life they divorced, but remained friends until his death in 1988. In 1974, after Philip was born, Jane decided to leave the insurance industry and join her parents in business operating Bill's Chicken & Steak House. Jane was such a social butterfly that this was the perfect job for her! Jane loved to sit and visit with customers, many who became lifelong friends. She and her brother Alan, later bought and continued the family business which operated for 49 years before they decided to sell to enjoy retirement. During her time at Bill's Jane served at President of the International Food Service Executives, was awarded American Business Woman of the year. The business also won several awards for their Fried Chicken. Jane loved to travel. She would always plan trips with her cousin Karen. Together they visited all parts of Europe, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Mexico and Canada. They went on several cruses to the Bahama's, visited New York, Boston, New Orleans, the wine country, and the warm weather of Arizona. Jane also loved to travel back to Montana. She would always spend time every Summer on property she owned on Swan Lake near Big Fork. She often would invite friends, or take her grandchildren to join her at this special place. Her grandchildren all knew the Montana state song, required singing when coming over Logan Pass into the state. Jane was funny and loved to tell jokes. She was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend to all. She will be missed terribly. She is survived by her children, Ronnie (Denise), Philip (May); brother, Alan (Calli); mother-in-law, Esther Wiger; 5 grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Rosemary. The family asks that you join them November 11th for a celebration of life for at the American Legion Smith- Reynolds Post from 1-4. Service from 1:15 to 2:00. Please bring a funny story, joke or memory to share. Jane was a survivor. The family also asks in lieu of flowers, to please consider making a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Llewellyn Jane Wiger

February 2, 1945 - October 21, 2017