Anthony "Tony" Wigton

Anthony (Tony) Wigton, age 46, of Garretson, SD, passed away at the Palisade Healthcare Center in Garretson, SD on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 23, 2026 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson, SD with Pastor Sue Hodne officiating. Burial will follow at the South Highland Cemetery, rural Sherman, SD.

Visitation will take place Sunday, February 22nd from 3 – 5 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson. There will be a time of remembrance and prayer at 5:00.

Tony Wigton was born on June 13, 1979 in Portland, Oregon to Lee and Peggy (Olson) Wigton. In 1981 he moved with his family to Sioux Falls where he attended Sioux Falls Public Schools before moving to Brainerd, MN where he graduated from high school. Tony went on to get a culinary degree in Moorhead, MN and then moved back to Sioux Falls. He worked for various restaurants before moving into customer service at Quest where he received Excellent Service awards and was a union steward. He also worked at Smithfields and went back to restaurants until medical issues forced him into assisted living and eventual Palisades in Garretson.

Growing up Tony spent a lot of time at his grandparent’s farm & summers involved camping and fishing with family & friends. He was a junior counselor at The Baltic Jaycee’s Camp for the Handicap. He loved letting the parents know what a joy having their child for the week was and how much fun they all had. He was a big advocate of the Special Olympics, especially cheering on his cousin Leah. He volunteered at the Sioux Falls Humane Society walking dogs and demonstrating his love for animals. He was blessed to be” Uncle Tony” to Remi, Frankie, Huk and Bella his brothers’ dogs. He spent as much time as he could playing with each of them and loving every minute. Tony was blessed to have 3 sides of family. Wigton’s, Olson’s and Whitaker’s. He enjoyed many family gatherings and reunions.

Tony was known for his kindness, generosity, love of family and his quick wit/sense of humor. You never knew what he was going to say but it would have you laughing. He was a great storyteller. A gentle soul that was always there to help anyone that needed it. He loved all the tech with gaming on his computer and phone. Downloading music to share with others especially at Christmas. He loved giving more than receiving and at Meadows and Palisades he helped others with their issues on smart TV’s, computers & phones. Always there to lend a helping hand with whatever they need. He served on a counsel at Palisades to advocate for the residents.

Tony loved deeply and was loved by many. He will truly be missed by all that knows him.

Tony is survived by his mother, Peggy Whitaker; brother, Kyle (Deidrea) Wigton; stepbrother, Todd Whitaker; stepsister Mellissa (Marc) Hughey; his beloved paw friends “nephews and niece” Frankie, Huk and Bella; grandparents, Don & Millie Olson; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lee Wigton; grandparents, Clarence & Mabel Wigton; stepfather, Kraig (Arch) Whitaker; grandparents, Bud & Gerry Whitaker; and beloved paw nephew Remi; and many cherished aunts and uncles.