Lee Wiegardt

Leeland J. "Lee" Wiegardt, 79, died December 17, 2006 in Seaside, Oregon where he had resided the past 2 years. The son of pioneer Peninsula residents Frederic and Anna "Winnie" (Arvin) Wiegardt, he was born in Ogden, Utah on February 12, 1927. Lee grew up in Ocean Park and attended local schools. He attended Whitworth College and the University of Washington before graduating from Lewis & Clark College in Portland. He resided in Ocean Park until several years ago. Lee served briefly with the US Navy at the end of the Second World War. He followed his family's footsteps in the oyster business as partner in Wiegardt Brothers Inc. oyster processors and was sole owner of Wiegardt & Sons, oyster growers. Lee was instrumental in importing Japanese oyster seed for various Washington state growers. In addition he was a board member of various oyster organizations who helped establish current health standards for the shellfish industry. Both publicly and privately, Lee worked to improve the water quality of Willapa Bay for generations to come. Lee enjoyed photography and traveling. He was devoted to his profession, his family and was very much his own person. Lee married Virginia Lundstrom August 15, 1949. They had met at Red's Café in Ilwaco, and she survives residing in Seaside. Also surviving are sons Fritz Wiegardt of Ocean Park and David Wiegardt of Ilwaco; daughter Laurie Choate of Astoria; grandchildren Ken, Lisa, Katie and John; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Bill and brother Allan. Funeral service will be Thursday, December 21, 2006, 1:00 PM at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, WA. Following a reception, graveside service will be held at Ocean Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach.