Norris Dean Bigbee, 23 May 1928 - 18 May 2008

BIGBEE, CRONBAUGH, BLOCK, DELLAMUTH, LOHSE

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 5/20/2008 at 20:19:40

Norris D. Bigbee, 79, of Grinnell died May 18, 2008, at the Mayflower Home Health Care Center in Grinnell. A graveside service and burial has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell with the Rev. Susan Sanning, Grinnell Regional Hospital Chaplain, officiating. Violinist will be Sarah Hamilton. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospital. Norris was born May 23, 1928, in Belle Plaine, the son of Gerald and Nadene Cronbaugh Bigbee. He was raised on the family farm in Honey Creek Township in Iowa County and received his education at Honey Creek Country School #10 and later was a 1946 graduate of Marengo High School. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1951 and served with the 2nd Division during the Korean War as corporal. On May 12, 1952, he was married to Elaine M. Block, in Marengo. The couple farmed in the Brooklyn and Chelsea communities until 1965 and then moved to Grinnell. He was employed at the Donaldson Company until his retirement in 1992. Norris enjoyed antiques, collecting things, and generally making something out of nothing, when it came to refinishing items that he found. He enjoyed doing chores on his farm, working with farm animals, and fishing on area farm ponds. He held a passion for dancing. For many years he kept busy with carpenter work on several homes in the Grinnell area. Survivors include his wife, Elaine, one son, Dale, one son-in-law, Kurt Lohse, and two grandsons, Dustin and Tyrel Lohse, all of Grinnell; and one sister, Arlyn (Richard) Dellamuth of Belle Plaine. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Tracy Lohse in 2003; and one brother Gerald Bigbee, Jr. in 1990.

Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell