George Christen Daigger

George Christen Daigger Jul, 17, 1911 – April 3, 2007 Age: 95 Residence: Greeley Tribute: George Christen Daigger was born July 17, 1911. He was the son of Charles and Mary (Busch) Daigger, born on a homestead in Arapahoe, Colorado. The family moved to a farm near Noel, MO. in 1916 when George was five. He attended a country school nearby. The area was hilly with plenty of trees and rocks with a creek running through the farm. When the work was done, George spent his extra time hunting squirrels, rabbit, possums, raccoons and various other animals as well as fishing and hunting bull frogs. He and his sister boarded in Noel during the week to attend High School. He graduated in 1929. During the next few years when the economy of the country was very poor, he was engaged in various kinds of work and projects. An older brother had gone to western Nebraska to pick corn in the winter and decided to stay there so George went out to stay with him each winter to pick corn. In 1934 his father fashioned a house like affair on a truck bed and with George and an older brother took a trip to Idaho and Oregon to pick apples and seek a better place to live. George liked that country very much and had a great desire to find a place there. His dad decided he’d settle down in western Nebraska, so the family moved to Venango, Nebraska and later to Grant. In 1937 George married Edna Mae Lichtenberg and lived on a farm near Grant. George still wanted to go to Oregon or Idaho. In 1939 they went to Oregon for a short time and again in 1946. He had to give up his dream of farming in Idaho or Oregon and returned to Nebraska and settled his family on a farm south of Madrid. They remained on that farm 51 years. In addition to farming he worked for the ASCS measuring land for “set aside” acres in 1952 and continued working for them in various capacities for 20 years. He was active in his community serving on the school board and the county noxious weed committee. His later years were spent fishing with friends, hunting arrowheads, reading, and polishing rocks. He joined the Ogallala Rock Club and attended meetings for several years. He especially liked making agate marbles and delighted in giving the jewelry and marbles he made to friends and acquaintances. In 1997 he and Edna Mae moved from the farm into Madrid and lived there until moving to Bonell Good Samaritan center in Greeley in 2003 to be close to their daughter. George was a resident of skilled nursing care at Bonell for the past two and a half years. He was a loving husband and father. He was soft spoken and witty. He was always concerned about the welfare of others and had an uncanny way of finding a way to help someone. He was willing to give you his last dime if you needed it. He loved visiting with neighbors and children and as one of his great granddaughters says, Papa George gave the best hugs. He always had a smile, a twinkle in his blue eyes and he was ever so grateful for the care the staff at Bonell gave him. Survivors: George is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edna Mae; two sons Gary and wife Sue of Whitney, NE, and David of Aurora, CO; daughter Sandra and husband Barry Wingfield of Ault, CO; one brother Louis and wife Kathryne of Gering, NE; two granddaughters, Julia and husband Tory Weible, and Jeanie and husband Rod Dunbar both of Laramie, WY; two step grandchildren, Pam and husband Jim Abke of Commerce City, CO and David Wingfield of Phoenix, AZ; eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: His parents, three brothers and thee sisters. Services: 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2007 at Bonell Good Samaritan Chapel, 708 22nd St., Greeley. Internment: Eaton Cemetery, Eaton Notes: Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado or Nebraska Children’s Home in care of Moser Funeral Services, 3501 S. 11th Ave., Evans, CO 80620.

Tributes

George Christen Daigger

July 17, 1911 - April 3, 2007