Obituary for Lisa Anne Wiggins, BSN

Lisa Anne Wiggins, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 6th, 2019. She was a retired nurse and a long-time resident of the Lakewood and Tacoma area. Lisa was born on March 12th, 1954 to Mr. and Mrs. Gene B. Wiggins II in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was part of the Class of ’72 at Bellaire High School, was a Bellaire Belle, and went on to complete her Bachelors of Science in nursing at Texas Women’s University in 1976.

She met her would-be-husband and the love of her life, Lance Kirkegaard, while riding a shuttle bus in Houston, Texas, in 1974. She noticed his blue eyes and the Frisbee in his briefcase and he noticed her dark brown eyes and hippie floral top. They locked eyes and were married on September 10th, 1977; they were together for 44 years. In quote of her husband Lance, "Lisa, you were my one true love."

Shortly after marriage, they moved to San Diego California for Lance’s medical career and had their first child, Sarah. Lisa and Lance then moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico, where they had two more children, Erin and Evan. In 1989, a career transition brought the family to Lakewood, Washington. Here, Lisa worked at St. Clare Hospital, Madigan Hospital and Tacoma Community College.

Through Lisa's career, she worked in a wide-variety of fields including pediatrics, home-health hospice, surgery and administration. Additionally, she was a nursing instructor and mentor, providing inspiration to multiple future medical providers. She retired as the pre-admission nursing director at St. Clare Hospital.

Lisa was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. She was known for her infectious laugh, witty sense of humor, chicken-fried steak and having an open door for all. She was passionate about being a Texan, a nurse, and a mother.

Lisa is survived by her husband of 44 years Dr. Lance Kirkegaard; her daughters Sarah Kirkegaard Shelley and Dr. Erin Kirkegaard; her son Evan Kirkegaard; her siblings Claire and Skip Wiggins; her son-in-law John Shelley; and her granddaughters, Sabina and Reina Shelley.

If you would like to honor Lisa's memory, please donate to Planned Parenthood or the Tacoma Art Museum in her name. These are two organizations to which Lisa whole-heartedly believed.

Lisa will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

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