Raymond W. Wigant, 89, of Austin died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 at Austin Medical Center in Austin.
He was born June 30, 1920 in Bucktown, Iowa, to William and Maude (Gwin) Wigant.
During World War II, Ray served in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. On Jan. 18, 1945 Ray was married to Catherine Balsley at the Congregational Church in Orchard, Iowa. After the war, Ray moved to Austin and started working at Hormel where he worked for 37 years. 
Ray was one of the oldest members of the Church of Christ, having joined in 1946. He was also a member of Austin Post No. 91, American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post No. 1216, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Raymond and Catherine spent the winters in Hawaii for 24 years. In his spare time, Ray enjoyed traveling, square dancing, watching sports on TV, cooking, wood working, yard work and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Catherine Wigant, Austin; son and daughter-in-law Alan and Pam Wigant, Austin; daughters and son-in-law Ruth Langohr, Austin, Brenda and Eddie Brekke, Preston, Minn., Wendy Arnett, Austin; grandchildren, Jennifer, Sarah Ann, Ryan, Mark, Michelle, Brent and Sarah Lela; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Vern Wigant, Canby, Ore., and Robert Wigant, Salem, Ore.; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 at Church of Christ with Pastor Stephen DeFor and Pastor David DeFor officiating. Visitation will be for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Military rites will be by Austin Post No. 91, American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post No. 1216, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.