Karen Marie (Yock) Bigalk

Karen Marie Bigalk passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Clara City with Rev. Culynn Curtis officiating. Please dress for the weather and bring a chair to sit in. Services will be live streamed on the funeral home website.

Karen Marie Bigalk was born on July 27, 1939 in Willmar, MN to Gordon and Hedwig Yock of Clara City, MN. She spent her childhood in Clara City with summers at the family cabin on the north shore of Green Lake, Spicer, MN.

After graduating from St. Olaf College, she met Rev. Vernon D. Bigalk while she was working as a camp counselor at Green Lake Bible Camp. They were married June 30, 1962 in Clara City. Together they served close to a dozen Lutheran congregations throughout Minnesota, along with churches in Tennessee and Indiana. She sang in all the church choirs, even directed a few, as well as taught many bible studies and occasionally presented at conferences and workshops.

Karen will be remembered for her love of family and of course her baking, especially her numerous cookie recipes and homemade bread sticks. She loved to read, play the piano and sing, as well as do embroidery. She kept in touch with friends and loved ones by writing letters and sending cards religiously. She loved to entertain whether hosting a dinner party for neighbors and friends or her annual Christmas open houses for their congregations. She had a deep love and appreciation for music, especially classical and choral. Karen was a great cook and family traditions were kept and instilled around the dinner table and during the holidays. But most importantly, she will be remembered as a woman of faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Vernon, of 58 years; their children, Jonathan Bigalk (Kristy) of Annandale, David Bigalk (Tari) of New London, Sarah Nezerka (Shawn) of Farmington; grandchildren, Rachel, Andrew, Katrina, Christopher, Jaime, Lukas, Josh, Michael, Elizabeth and Stephen; three great-grandchildren; sister, Marjorie Willingham of Memphis, TN; and brother, Laird Yock of Portland, ME.

The family thanks the staff and care givers at Ecumen Seasons of Apple Valley and Ecumen Hospice for their loving care and support. Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association, Ecumen Hospice, Apple Valley, MN & Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Maple Lake, MN.

Karen's grandchildren will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute & Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

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