Kenneth E. Bigler

Kenneth Bigler, of Decorah, Iowa died on Friday, June 3, 2005 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2005 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust with Rev. John Mayer officiating. Burial will be in the Locust Cemetery. There will be full military rites at the graveside by the Helof – Holm VFW Post #1977. Friends may call on Sunday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and after 1:00 p.m. at the church on Monday afternoon. There will be a VFW Memorial service at 5:00 at the funeral home on Sunday. Kenneth Bigler, age 74, of Decorah, Iowa died on Friday, June 3, 2005 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa following a short illness. Kenneth Erving Bigler was born on May 17, 1931, the son of Elmer and Tilvina (Ellingson) Bigler on the family farm south of Sattre. Kenny attended Pleasant Township #7 Country School. Kenny worked for Allis Chalmers before he served stateside in the US Army for two years during the Korean Conflict. After the service, he worked for Bolson Feeds and then started his own business, Bigler Trenching. He loved digging and working with equipment. He married Sharon Lenth on September 3, 1958 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa, she died from multiple sclerosis on September 13, 1994. He then married Cindy Peterson on May 20, 1995 and they later divorced. In later years, Kenny enjoyed tilling gardens and pushing snow for people. He also collected clocks and coins. Kenny was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Locust and the Helof-Holm VFW Post #1977. Kenny’s survivors include his two sisters: Ethel Ellingson and Ellen Dickman & husband Douglas, all of Decorah, IA. Four brothers: Roger Bigler & wife Evelyn, George Bigler and David Bigler & wife Colleen, all of Decorah, IA and Wilbur Bigler, West Union, IA. One sister-in-law: Karen Jensen, Des Moines, IA and many niece, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sharon on September 13, 1994; one brother: Kermit Bigler in May 1969 and one brother-in-law: Tom Ellingson on January 14, 2005.