Bigalk, Kathryn Darlene (Haugen) 1935 - 2022

BIGALK, HAUGEN, RUSTAD, DARLING, SEATON, SOLEM, ISTAD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/29/2022 at 12:13:32

Kathryn Darlene Bigalk, 86, of Harmony, formerly of Decorah, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Gundersen Harmony Care Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Granger, MN. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Kay was born August 13, 1935 at her parents farm in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County. Kay was the youngest of Gjermund and Marie (Rustad) Haugen’s five children. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. She attended Lake View and Pleasant No. 6 (Daubney) rural schools. She then graduated from Decorah High School in 1954.

Kay briefly worked in Decorah. After meeting Kenneth Bigalk at Matter’s Ballroom, they were united in marriage on November 18, 1956 at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. To this union four children were born, Kim, Tammy, Terry, and Todd. The Bigalk’s started farming right beside Niagara Cave and later moved to their farm west of Harmony. Kay worked many years beside her husband in the egg production business. Kay was a good wife and loving mother and grandmother. She was also an excellent cook. She cooked like her mother, no measurements, just a little of this and some of that. On Fridays, the house was filled with the smell of homemade bread. She enjoyed sharing her baking with friends and family. She also won many ribbons at the County fair including Grand Champion.

Kay was a woman of faith and always active in her church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, belonged to Mary Circle and helped on the ELCW board. She also sewed many quilt tops and helped tie many quilts each year. Her hobbies included gardening, flowers, cooking, sewing and playing bingo. She liked to decorate her lawn for each holiday. Kay had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed having friends and family over.

Kay and Kenny moved to Harmony in 2001. Kenny passed away in 2006. Now Kay will be missed by many. She is survived by her daughter Kim Bigalk and two sons, Terry (Jan) Bigalk and Todd (Calley) Bigalk, all of Harmony; six grandchildren: June (Robert) Darling of South Beloit, IL, Ryan (Rachel) Bigalk of Madison, WI, Blake Bigalk of Rochester, MN, Alex (Amanda) Bigalk and Cody (Bridget) Bigalk of Preston, and Kaylee Bigalk of Harmony. She also leaves two great grandchildren and several nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny, daughter Tammy, her parents, brother Kurt Haugen and sisters; Arlyne Seaton, Geraldine Solem, and Marilyn Istad.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database