Laraine E. Wiggins

She was born on a dairy farm in Allenville, Michigan next to her great grandfather JD Erskine’s General Store to the late Jack and Violet Erskine (Ringler) and graduated from LaSalle High School of St. Ignace.

LaRaine married Skip Wiggins of Carp River, Michigan in 1958 and they spent 67 happy years together. Mom worked as a bank teller for 35 years at the First National Bank of St. Ignace, Newberry State Bank and Tahquamenon Credit Union. Whenever we went for a visit to the bank, the line was always the longest at her window as everyone in town loved her stories of their family members, their occupations, where they grew up and lived their lives and of course her tips on banking. She had a heart of an angel! She was also employed as cashier at Treasure Island, the Indian Village, Castle Rock and the Casino as she was a lifetime member of the Chippewa Tribe. Mom also served many years on the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Newberry.

Her first love and compassion were sewing as she had a keen sense for color, patterns and design. She was a self-taught seamstress who could put 2 patterns together or design her own. Mom owned 8 sewing machines and especially loved her ancient commercial singer as she was able to wield leathergoods on it as well as the Dacron sails for my Dad’s handcrafted boats Oden and the JaniDan, thick curtains, and miles of bunting for her son’s exhibit tables. She also sewn many lovely clothes for her daughter, grandchildren, family, friends and even helped with the Christmas bells and stars downtown.

She and my Dad built many beautiful homes together including their cherished cabin of 60 years on Brevoort Lake where they hosted both sides of the family and friends at many corn roasts, snowmobiling, skiing, swimming, speed boating and sailing. One of their favorite pastimes was square dancing and they belonged to the St. Ignace and Newberry Chapters. Mom always wore handmade beautiful, hooped gowns and western shirts for Dad that they always adorned with bolo ties to dance the night away.

In addition to her parents, LaRaine is preceded in death by her husband Skip Wiggins; granddaughter Bethany King, her older brothers Jack (Geneva) Erskine, Marvin (Marion) Erskine, Vern (Vonnie) Erskine, Glen (Minnie) Erskine and Ralph (Yvonne) Erskine.

Survivors include her daughter Janice (Glen) Pittman of Newberry; her son Daniel (Dr. Cyndi) Wiggins of Marquette; grandchildren Colton Wiggins of Marquette; Chelsea Wiggins (Nick Kopylec) of Orlando, Florida; Heather (Greg) Mannisto of Chatham; Sabrina (Clint) Tyner of Chatham; Rachel (Don) Shope of Rapid River; and Glen Pittman Jr. of Escanaba; great grandchildren Paavo Mannisto and Tuuli Mannisto of Chatham, Lucy Tyner and Stormy Tyner of Chatham; grandson-in-law Lee King and many loving nieces and nephews.

Per request, cremation services were accorded. LaRaine will be laid to rest at the Caffey Cemetery in Rexton at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Straits Area Senior Living Community where Mom resided happily for the past 6 months. An exceptional caring assisted living at 255 South Airport Road, St. Ignace, MI 49781.

Condolences may be expressed at beaulieufuneralhome.com Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.

“We would like to think that Dad swept Mom away on his boat of gold and they are sailing the heavens together.”