Renee “Wiggs” Blackham, 86, of Salt Lake City passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on the evening of August 30th, 2022. She was born December 11th, 1935, in Mapleton, Minnesota to Louis William Wiegert and Viola Sophia Muske. Renee, affectionately nicknamed Wiggs was a noble and wise matriarch to her family; her children Scott (Shauna), Kent, Traci (Michael), Brian (Sonja), Michael (Missy), and Leslie (Shawn) and grandchildren Nick (Michelle), Chris (Kyli), (Kris), (Danielle), Brittany, Kelsey, Maxwell (Megan), Ivers (Justin), Liv (Brayden), Hazel, Ezra, Hoggan (Kate), Bella Jo (Noah), Ruby Renee, (Tay), Samuel, twins Kobe and Alec, and great-grandchildren Paxton, Nora, Gus, Ziggy, Jax, Lola, and Luke. She was preceded in death by her husband Mark D. “Pops” Blackham, son Kent “kooks”, daughter-in-law Shauna, and granddaughter Kelsey.
All who crossed the Blackham threshold will remember the prominent wall of family photos - each photo represented one of Wiggs’ eternal jewels that provided her with so much joy and happiness. It was impossible to escape her hospitality, her thoughtful conversation, her unwavering focus on you, and her warm sense of humor. Wiggs’ talent was the ability to love each person individually and each had a special place in her heart. Her smile and sparkle in the eye were contagious and invigorating. Crossing paths with Wiggs, whether for a moment or over the years, left an indelible impression of feeling important, encouraged, and cherished.
We revere Wiggs for the Christ-like women, mother, grandmother, and friend that she was. Wiggs led her grandchildren by example in accepting a call to serve a mission in England with Pops for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her temple service was a constant and a defining example of her faith and testimony. Her experiences in the service of the Lord and her fellowmen caused a ripple effect of goodness.
All of us will remember the last time we bent slightly down to hug Wiggs because, in so many ways, we were reaching up to hug a giant. May God be with you Wiggs, until we meet again, and with us, so we may arrive at where Wiggs now is, for a cinnamon scented hug.
Wiggs’ desire was to have a graveside service, which will be held this Saturday September 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, for all who would like to join in celebrating our Wiggs.
This was written by Wiggs’ eldest grandson Nicholas
