OBITUARY Matthew Jacob Gilbert Wiggers September 26, 1929 – January 18, 2019 Matthew Jacob Gilbert Wiggers was born September 26, 1929 in Arnhem, Holland. He lived in a tumultuous time in Europe and soon was living as a teenager in Nazi Occupied Holland. The basis for his living conditions was one of the reasons he become the tough and determined person that we knew all of his life.
He married his wife Muriel Wiggers and they moved from Holland to Chicago, Illinois in 1959. They were very “European” and it took a while for them to acclimate to American life, much to the amusement of their Midwestern friends. But they were brave in wanting to live the American dream and soon enough they loved their new lives in their new country and would not have moved back for any reason.
They adopted their son Robert in 1962, and daughter Karen in 1966 and moved them to Austin where they got to be Texans. Matt soon worked his way up to become the Operations Manager and Vice President of Texas Nuclear. He was a successful engineer and leader in this company, but was not satisfied and wanted to become an Entrepreneur.
He decided he could sell Greenhouses and thus he and Muriel began the business fondly known as Greenhouse Mall (and now rebranded as Outside in Style) in 1977. Realizing he needed a summer product he added outdoor furniture which ensured the success of the company to this day. In an effort to make the company well known in the Austin community, he started doing his own TV commercials and advertised his very clever phone number with his Dutch accent.
“Call us at 250-0-0-0-0 or come see us won’t you”. He did not realize how much Texans would like his funny Dutch accent or the exuberance with which he delivered it. His catch phrase became a household saying.
In 1994 he retired and left his daughter and son in law, Karen and Paul Galindo, in charge of the business where they continue to run it as Outside in Style. His son, Rob Wiggers married Terri and they had a son named Kyle, all of whom thrive in the fields of genetics, accounting and engineering; engineering being close to his original vocation. He was very proud of his kids and grandson and loved them very much.
Those who knew Matt knew he was a tough character with a huge personality and a big heart. He will be missed by his children and grandchild, and friends and rays of light, Paty, Diana, and Sherrie. Matt will be interred in a private ceremony.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Wiggers family may be left at www. cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com FAMILY Karen & Paul Galindo, Daughter Rob & Terri Wiggers, Son Kyle Wiggers, Grandchild Matt is also survived by his friends and rays of light, Paty, Diana, and Sherrie.
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