Bigalk, Dorothy Ellen (Banker) 1917 - 2013

BIGALK, BANKER, MILLER, ROBINSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/20/2013 at 16:03:04

On September 17, 2013, Dorothy Bigalk passed from this earth to a home of peace and freedom from pain. Dorothy Ellen was born to Samuel and Minnie (Miller) Banker on September 20, 1917 (their wedding anniversary) and grew up on their farm near Elmore, Minnesota. From an early age, she combined her talents with hard work. In eighth grade, she played piano accompaniment at Evangelical United Brethren Church before placing fourth in the State Fair spelling bee. She graduated from high school as salutatorian. At Western Union College (later Westmar) in LeMars, Iowa, Dorothy was commended for outstanding scholastic achievement and her work as editor of the college newspaper. She served as president of the Young Women’s Christian Association. Graduating in 1938, she taught English and music in western Iowa and attended summer classes at the University of Minnesota. In 1942, she accepted a position to teach English at Cresco High School (Iowa) satisfying their need for a second teacher qualified to direct plays. She taught journalism and was advisor for the student newspaper, The Cresconian. On April 13, 1946, “Miss Banker” married Vincent Bigalk and moved to the farm north of Cresco. She joined Immanuel Lutheran Church. She and Vince became parents to three children, and Dorothy devoted herself to family and farm. In humorous, descriptive letters to her parents, plus photographs of every possible subject, she preserved a family record. She watched three grandchildren grow and became “Gramma Dorothy” to nine great-grandchildren. After sixty years on the farm (providing whatever she could, in addition to countless home-cooked meals) she found a new home at Wildwood Grove Assisted Living (LeRoy, Minnestoa) for nearly seven years. Following hip surgery in August 2013, she moved to Amery, Wisconsin for continuing care. She passed away at Amery Regional Medical Center. Dorothy never lost her joy of learning and sharing or her curiosity about the world. She never forgot beloved relatives, friends, and students. Dorothy’s trust in God, her belief in the goodness of people, her delight in music, and her eye for the beauty of nature never failed. She will be dearly remembered, truly missed. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Vincent (1998) and younger son Lowell (2010). She is survived by son Stephen (Bunnie) Bigalk of Deer Park, Wis., daughter Martha Ellen Bigalk of Duluth, Min.; grandchildren: Michelle (Rev. Ross) Fritz, Donia (Seth) Robinson, and Scott (Terra) Bigalk; great-grandchildren Samantha, Kate Dorothy, Nathaniel, Quinn, Christopher, Rocco, Dominic, Paige and Pacer.

Visitation:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, Iowa, and at the church for one hour prior to services.

Service:
11:00 am on Monday, September 23, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa.

Cemetery:
Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cresco, Iowa.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

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