Dvorak, Ethel Mae (Bigalk) 1929 - 2009

DVORAK, BIGALK, PETERSON, MARK, WEDEKING, ARENDS, DOUGHTY, HAGERR

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/17/2017 at 11:40:42

Ethel Dvorak, 80, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 13, 2009, at the Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, Iowa.
Ethel Mae Bigalk was born on March 4, 1929, in rural Cresco, Iowa, Winneshiek County, to Arthur and Luana (Peterson) Bigalk. Ethel was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Cresco and confirmed at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in rural Harmony, MN. She attended rural school, Fremont #3 for her first eight years, and graduated from Cresco High School in 1947. She attended Luther College, Upper Iowa University, and the University of Northern Iowa, receiving a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She taught 44 years, teaching in Winneshiek County (Nordness), Allamakee County (West Union Elementary) and Howard County (Cresco) and Ridgeway Elementaries); she retired in 1991.
Ethel married Thomas Dvorak on July 22, 1956, at the Fremont Lutheran Church in rural Cresco. They became the parents of three children, Brenda, Sherry, and Barry.
Throughout her years, she belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma (International), Retired School Personnel, Hospital Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, and Wa-Tan-Ye Service Club. Ethel was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she participated in Rebekah Circle, taught Sunday School for several years, and worked as a curriculum director.
Ethel helped organize the first girls' 4-H club in Fremont Township, Winneshiek County. "The Fremont Northern Stars" was organized in 1948.
Ethel enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, quilting, cross stitching, gardening, canning, cooking, and entertaining. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family was top priority.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas of Cresco; a daughter, Brenda Mark of Cedar Falls; a son, Barry (Chris) Dvorak of Cedar Falls; a son-in-law, Kevin Wedeking of Charles City; six grandchildren: Gina (Mark) Arends of Cedar Falls, Sara Mark of Cedar Rapids, Kassy Wedeking of Chicago, Illinois; Kourtney Wedeking of Cedar Falls, and Anna and Abigail Dvorak of Cedar Falls; four great-grandchildren: Blake, Noah, Jace, and Alexis Arends; two brothers, Arlin (Wilma) Bigalk, and Dean Bigalk both of Cresco, along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Luana Bigalk; a daughter, Sherry (Dvorak) Wedeking; brothers, Wayne and William Bigalk; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Tom Doughty; a nephew, Dan Doughty; a sister-in-law, Rosalie (Hagerr) Bigalk; and grandparents, Ole and Lena Peterson.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

Cemetery:
Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco.

Visitation:
Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, from 4-8 p.m. on Monday evening, and also one hour prior to services at the church.

Service:
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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