Wednesday, December 15, 2021 8:57 pm
Barbara J. Bigler, age 58, of Ridgeway, died Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse Wis.
A private family funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec.18, 2021 due to Covid. Cards may be sent to Bob at: 2934 Austin Road, Ridgeway, IA 52165.
Barbara Jean (Dotzler) Bigler was born on May 16, 1963, the daughter of Edward and Helen (Hovey) Dotzler in Preston, MN. She was baptized at Madison Lutheran and confirmed at Peace Lutheran. She attended Crestwood High School. She was united in marriage to Robert Bigler on June 29, 1991 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust. This union was blessed with threedaughters; Laura, Leann, and Lindsey. Barb helped Robert on the farm while they continued to raise their children. She then went to work at Watlow Industries. She then spent many years managing County Express and bookkeeping at Winneshiek Coop. Her latest job was working at Pinters Gardens and Pumpkins where she enjoyed managing the candy store in Decorah and being involved with the gift shop and pumpkin patch. Barb enjoyed making floral arrangements and tending to her household plants. She was an exceptional decorator and her and Robert’s house showed this.
Barb’s love for traveling was seen by her many recent trips to sunny Florida with her husband and family by her side. While there you could find her shelling at the beach and enjoying the local sea food. Barb found a love for boating and Jet Skiing. Barb’s pride and joy were her eight grandchildren. Her lap was never empty. She enjoyed playing ball with them outside, making smores around the fire pit, and loved to spoil them.Barb was one of the most generous, selfless, thoughtful, kind spirited, happiest people on Earth.
She loved deeply; her heart knew of no boundaries. She had a million hidden talents that she dismissed with the wave of a hand. She had a huge, warm, welcoming smile that could heal the world. She gave everything to everyone without anyone asking, and never asked for anything in return but your happiness. She was a true inspiration that will be missed by many.
Barb is survived by her husband: Robert Bigler, Ridgeway; daughters: Laura (JJ) McConnell of Ridgeway, Leann (Lenny) McIntire of Cresco, and Lindsey Bigler of Decorah; eight grandchildren: Abriana, Landen, Ava, Zander, Zoey, Zariah, Layla, and Kysen; her siblings and their spouses: Edward A. (Sandra) Dotzler, Belvidere, Ill., Donna Vick of Cedar Rapids, Marilyn Peterson of Decorah, Charlotte (Ken) Buckingham of Four Seasons, MO, Jerry (Jean) Dotzler of Mason City, Rodney (Jane) Dotzler of Ridgeway, Roger Dotzler, Larry (Lola) Dotzler of Roscoe, Ill., Gary (Sue Russell) Dotzler, Rockford, Ill. Dennis (Jen Peterson) Dotzler of Decorah, IA, Sharon (Kevin) Weselmann of Decorah, Karen Dtozler, Michelle (Lee) Panoch and Mike (Naycia) Dotzler of Cresco; and by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Helen (Hovey) Dotzler. Brothers: Donald Dotzler and Wayne Dotzler. Sister: Margaret Halse. Father-in-law: Roger Bigler.
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