Wilma Bigelow
December 29, 1931 ~ July 26, 2011
Wilma M. Bigelow age 79 of Decorah, formerly of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday morning, July 26, 2011, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday July 29, 2011, at the Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg with Pastor Burt Williams officiating. Musical selections include “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “In the Garden.” Organist will be Yvonne Lienau and soloist will be Keith Kruen.
Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with grandchildren Aaron Bigelow, Amber Bigelow, Benton Bigelow, Amanda Sherburne, Kellen Sherburne, and Garret Baumler serving as pallbearers. Wilma’s great granddaughter Indira Bigelow will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday July 28, 2011, at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. Further visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Wilma Marie was born December 29, 1931, on the family farm east of Fredericksburg, the daughter of Victor and Hilda (Jacobs) Steege. She attended country school one mile from her farm, and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1950. On February 14, 1954, at Peace United Church of Christ, she was united in marriage to Curtis Bigelow of Nashua. To this union, two children were born. The couple lived in Sumner, Fredericksburg, Nashua, and most recently Decorah. Wilma attended Young’s School of Beauty in Waterloo, and spent the next 20 years working in both Sumner and Fredericksburg as a beautician. She began playing the organ at Peace United Church of Christ at the age of 16, and held this position for over 35 years.
She loved spending time with her family and followed all sports and activities that they were involved in. Wilma enjoyed painting, quilting, playing cards, dancing, and camping with her friends and family at Clermont. She will be remembered by her family for her motherly advice and guidance, as a loyal wife and friend, and for her excellent monkey bread. She was a 19 year survivor of cancer.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Curtis; a son, Marc (Linda) Bigelow of Tahoe City, CA; a daughter, Janice (Duane) Baumler of Decorah; a brother, Lyle (Darlene) Steege of Fredericksburg; a sister, Alice (Glenn) Fenneman of Fredericksburg; six grandchildren, Aaron Bigelow, Amber Bigelow, Benton Bigelow, Amanda Sherburne, Kellen Sherburne, and Garret Baumler; one great granddaughter, Indira Bigelow; and a brother-in-law, LaVerne Wendt of New Hampton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Ruth Wendt.
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Janice- I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Wilma. I’d seen her a few times shopping, and she was so excited to see my grandsons. She was always fun to visit with and the greatest smile. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time, and the weeks to come. Cheryl Reed & family
Curtis ~ So so sorry to hear about Wilma… I will miss our visits we had at Wal-Mart.
We just wanted to take some time to express our sincere sympathies to your family. The loss of loved ones is never an easy thing for us left here on this earth. May God give you strength and encouragement in the days ahead. I am sure you have many great memories to reflect on.
Uncle Curt, Mark & Janice, My words cannot express my feelings right now. We are all shocked and saddened by the loss of Wilma. I have some very fond memories of Wilma. She always care about everyone around her. Her memory will live on forever in our hearts. Sorry I couldn’t be with you all today but know I was thinking of you. May God give you great comfort in this time and the weeks to come.
This is a P.S. Please remember Wilma tap dancing, playing piano & giggling. She was pretty & fun-loving and generous. She loved her family above all else & would do anything for them. And, she made others feel like family. (My parents are Loren & Lena James. Sylvia Hoffman and Larry James are also their children.)
Dear Curt & Family, You know how much I cherished Wilma . She & Alice were so special to me when I was little because they spoiled me rotten. I’m sorry I can’t be there but my heart is. Rich and I love you all. Laura & Rich Casperson
Curt & family–So sorry to hear of Wilmas passing. We enjoyed spending time with you two at bowling and at Skipaway in Clermont. She will be missed by all who knew her. Maxine
Wilma was my fairy-tale princess when she and Curt got married. I thought she was the prettiest bride I’d ever seen! She was such a sweet and loving cousin, who made us feel very welcome when we visited the family in Iowa.
Uncle Curt, Marc, Janice and Family – Aunt Wilma has always had a special place in my heart. As a child, I always cherished the holiday visits to your house as it was always a home of great family stories, laughter, intense card games, and fantastic deserts. My favorite is still the brownies with walnuts. (I still have her recipe handy after 42 years) We wish we could be with you this weekend. I really admired my Aunt and will be thinking of her and the joy she brought to my family. Your family is in our prayers. Love Brian, Sharon, Sarah & Matthew Bigelow Apex North Carolina
My sincere sympathies to your family at this time. I so hoped the outcome would have been different. From our short encounter at the hospital, I could tell she was well loved by her family and certainly raised a lovely daughter. May the memories of a good life filled with love, sustain you as you deal with the loss of your wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend.
Uncle Curt, Janice, Mark and family: Was shocked and saddened to hear the news. Aunt Wilma was a great source of comfort for me when my father died. She will always have a special corner of my heart. She was a strong woman, and the cornerstone of your family. She will watch over you all. Love to you all.
Janice & family: So sorry to hear about your mom. I had heard her name on the radio and thought that’s who she was. You and your family have my sympathy. Take care in the coming days. Carol Johnson
Janice-You are in my thoughts and prayers. Wilma will be missed! I enjoyed seeing her at Skipaway as she always was smiling!
wilma was a lovey lady and im so glad she was in my life. she touched my heart in may ways. im so sorry for your loss. i wish i could be there. love always and forever Jackie & Family
Janice and family… So sorry to hear about your mom. We will miss her smiling face when she would stop in to pick up tapes for you at Team Rehab. She was a very sweet lady. Hold her memories dear, they will make you strong.
Curt, Janice and family; I am so sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of Wilma volunteering at WMC, and when we moved into your house! She will truly be missed by many. Gary and Deb Tekippe
Curt and family – We are so very sorry to hear about Wilma. She was a extremely special lady and we were honored to have known her. From the moment we met her when she welcomed us the to the ‘neighborhood’ at Clermont with her friendly ‘Hello neighbors!’ to last month when we spent the weekend camping together, just like old times, she made us feel like family. There are too many memories to record here, but you can have the confidence in knowing that this wonderful woman touched many, many lives just as she touched ours.
To Curtis’ family and friends: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I knew Curt quite well years ago before we moved to TX. I also was in High School with brother Elmer and Eddie. I remember Wilma from the days when we both were in 4-H. God be with you. Ralph and Shirley Feuchtwanger
Uncle Curt, Marc & Linda, Janice & Duane, & families: So sad to hear the news. Wish we could be there to say goodbye. Aunt Wilma always made me feel special & loved. I know you’ll miss her greatly. You’re in our hearts & prayers – Love – Diane
To all of the families our deepest sympathy to you all. She was such a nice lady, and friendly. Our prayers are with you all also.
Dear Curt and family – We were shocked and sad to hear of Wilma this morning. We had some good times many years ago camping and the birthday suppers with Fritz’, Williams, Bigelows and Christensens. Wilma was a special lady and will be missed by many. John and Marilyn Christensen
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss. Wilma was an amazing lady!!Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
We am so very sorry to hear of Wilma’s passing. I had a nice visit with her at the pancake breakfast in Fredericksburg. She was a great lady and really loved her Family and Friends Our Sympathy, Roger and Margo
Janice, Curt and Family — I am so sorry to hear the news of your mother. She was such a nice lady. Whenever she came into the hospital and passed by our office, she would stop and we would visit about family, camping. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. We were shocked and saddened by this news. We send you our deepest sympathies. Lori, Matt, Jordan, Imani, and Hannah Toso
You all have my deepest sympathies. I am so sorry for your loss, i cared a lot Wilma and she will be missed greatly. Curt, my love to you especially, for all the years you put up with me. Love, Vicki
Janice so sorry to hear about your mom . Remember that we are praying for you your mom and family. Thinking of you,Michael,Barbara,Laura & Krissy Ball
Curt and Family – my heart goes out to you. Always enjoyed visiting with Wilma and you too Curt. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Janice and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. May the love of family and friends bring consolation to your broken hearts.
Uncle Curt, Janice, Marc and families, We are praying for strength an peace during this difficult time. We are so thankful that we were were able to visit with Aunt Wilma on Sunday. I know that she is dancing and having some great conversations with Grandma Wendt right now. Love to all of you.
Janice and family so sorry to hear of your sudden loss. May the Lord hold you and comfort you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you the Vanden Brink’s