COLSCH, Gayleen Sue (Bigalk) 1955-2009

COLSCH, BIGALK, APPLEN, ARNOLD, HUFFMAN, FABRE

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/19/2010 at 07:26:57

Cresco Times, July 8, 2009, Page 12A, Column 1-3

Gayleen Colsch, 54

PRESTON, MN - Visitation for Gayleen S. Colsch of Preston, MN will be held from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2009 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, MN with memorial services directly following. Interment will be held in Cedar Hill of rural Cresco, IA. A celebration of her life will be held in her honor with the Hall Boys performing on July 18 with arrangements pending and later to be announced.

Gayleen Sue Bigalk was born March 25, 1955, the fourth of five children born to Delbert and Gladys (Applen) Bigalk. She often reminisced about wonderful childhood memories growing up on their family farm near Granger, MN. There was always a special place in her heart dedicated to her parents, especially her late father. Gayleen loved working with the many animals on their farm, and this compassion was everlasting. She attended school in Cresco and attended college in Calmar, IA. She was a proud mother of her first daughter, Heidi Bigalk, born March 13, 1975.

She married Mark Colsch, of Caledonia, MN. They lived on Mark's family farm and worked together on the Milwaukee Railroad. They later resided in rural Cresco while her husband worked with her family in farming and beekeeping. As a farm wife, Gayleen was appreciated for her exceptional cooking talents, gardening skills, and creativity. Mark and Gayleen were proud parents of three more children, Paige, Tracy, and baby Todd. Todd died shortly after birth in 1984. Their family later relocated, and Gayleen most recently moved to Preston, MN, to be closer to her daughter, Paige, due to a decline in her health.

She was passionate about music. She loved nature, and spent many summers camping out along the Upper Iowa River with friends and family. Gayleen treasured her best friend since childhood, Joan Landswerk.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Colsch of Eitzen, MN; mother-in-law Mary Colsch of Caledonia, MN; children: Heidi Bigalk of Harmony, MN; Paige Colsch of Preston, MN; Tracy Colsch of Eitzen, MN; brothers: Manley (Linda) Bigalk of Cresco, Terry Bigalk of CO; sister Ann (Carl) Fabre of Austin, TX; four grandchildren: Shae Bigalk, Lyndon Arnold, Kael Huffman, and Scarlet Colsch; and many nieces and nephews.

Gayleen was preceded in death by a son Todd Terry Colsch; her parents; and a brother, Larry.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa. Contributed by Janice Sowers, 2010

Second Obit posted by Joy Moore:

Gayleen Colsch, age 54, passed away peacefully and pain free at St. Mary\'s Hospital, in Rochester, MN, while surrounded by her three children and loved ones on July 3rd, 2009 after enduring years of a courageous battle with illness.

Gayleen Sue Bigalk was born March 25, 1955, the fourth of five children born to Delbert and Gladys (Applen) Bigalk. She often reminisced about wonderful childhood memories growing up on their family farm near Granger, MN. There was always a special place in her heart dedicated to her parents, especially her late father, who had always shown her unconditional love and understanding throughout their lives. Gayleen loved working with the many animals on their farm, and this compassion was everlasting. She was remembered as a bright and creative student while attending school in Cresco, IA. She also attended college in Calmar, IA. She was a proud mother of her first daughter, Heidi Bigalk, born March 13, 1975. She was united in marriage to Mark Colsch, of Caledonia, MN. They lived on Mark\'s family farm and worked together on the Millwaukee Railroad. They later resided in rural Cresco while her husband worked with her family in farming and beekeeping. As a farm wife, Gayleen was appreciated for her exceptional cooking talents, gardening skills, and creativity. Mark and Gayleen were proud parents of 3 more children, Paige, Tracy, and baby Todd. Todd died shortly after birth in 1984, yet her love for him was endless. Their family later relocated, and Gayleen most recently moved to Preston, MN, to be closer to her daughter, Paige, due to a decline in her health.

Gayleen was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Shae Bigalk, Lyndon Arnold, Kael Huffman, and Scarlet Colsch. Gayleen is remembered for being gifted with a wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed time with her beloved children, parents, grandchildren, family, and friends. She was also passionate about music, and embraced the vocal and lyrical talents of the late John Lennon, Neil Young, and so many others. She loved nature, and spent many summers camping out along the Upper Iowa River with friends and family. Gayleen treasured her best friend since childhood, Joan Landswerk, who was there for her in the best, and in the worst of times. Gayleen always voiced how blessed she was to have many wonderful friends that accepted her for the strong, the free, and the fun loving spirit she was. She will be missed dearly, loved always, and never forgotten.

Surviving family and friends; Mark Colsch of Eitzen, MN: mother in law: Mary Colsch of Caledonia, MN, children: Heidi Bigalk of Harmony, MN; Paige Colsch of Preston, MN; Tracy Colsch of Eitzen, MN, brother; Manley (Linda) Bigalk of Cresco, IA, brother; Terry Bigalk of CO; sister, Ann (Carl) Fabre of Austin, TX; grandchildren Shae Bigalk, Lyndon Arnold, Kael Huffman, and Scarlet Colsch; and many nieces, nephews, and many more friends and family members.

Gayleen was preceeded in death by a brother; Larry, her beloved parents, and a son; Todd Terry Colsch.

Cemetery:

She will rest in eternal peace at Cedar Hill, of rural Cresco, IA.

Visitation:

Visitation is from 3-4p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2009, with services directly following.

Service:

A memorial service will be held at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, MN on Friday, July 10, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Cedar Hill Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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