Vernon Dale Bigalk

Rev. Vernon D. Bigalk, age 88, died on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Ecumen Seasons in Apple Valley.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. An outdoor Funeral Service will be held at the graveside at 2 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Clara City with Pastor Culynn Curtis officiating. Please feel free to bring a chair. The services will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

Vernon Dale Bigalk was born January 16, 1934 in Cresco, Iowa to Edgar and Mary (Parchman) Bigalk. He grew up on the family farm 9 miles north of town attending school in a 1 room schoolhouse through 8th grade and then graduated from Cresco High School in 1952. He continued his education at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA earning a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1956; Vern went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA in 1960. After a year of internship in San Diego, CA, Vernon was ordained as a Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, IA, amongst the same congregation that he was baptized and confirmed. His first call as a Pastor was to Trinity Lutheran in Bricelyn, MN. During his first year of service he took the church youth group to Green Lake Bible Camp, where he met Karen Marie Yock. They were married on June 30, 1962, in Clara City, MN at Immanuel Lutheran. Together, they served First Lutheran in Albert Lea ('62-'65), St John's in Belle Plaine, MN ('65-69), Christ Lutheran in Nashville, TN ('68-'76), St John Lutheran in Richmond, IN ('76-'83), East and West Norway Lake Lutheran churches in New London, MN ('83-'84), Long Lake Lutheran in St James, MN and First Lutheran in Butterfield, MN ('84-'85), First English Lutheran in Tyler, MN ('85-'89), and Crow River Lutheran and Big Grove Lutheran in Belgrade, MN ('89-'98).

Pastor Bigalk will be remembered for his faithful service to his friends, family, 13 congregations, and to his Lord. During his 40 years of ministry, he would have preached over 3000 sermons. Vern enjoyed golfing, wintering in Florida, and an occasional cigar and beer. He loved spending time on the lake with his wife, kids, and grandkids. Hospitality was second nature to Vern and Karen, gathering family and friends to their table as often as they could. Pastor Bigalk was more than just a minister, Vern was down to earth, a great listener, and very approachable.

He is survived by his children, Jonathan (Kristy) Bigalk of Annandale, David (Tari) Bigalk of New London, and Sarah (Shawn) Nezerka of Farmington; grandchildren, Rachel, Andrew, Katrina, Christopher, Jamie, Lukas, Josh, Michael, Elizabeth, and Stephen; five great-grandchildren; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Mary Bigalk; wife, Karen Bigalk; brothers, Reuben and Lester Bigalk.

The family thanks the staff and care givers at Ecumen Seasons of Apple Valley and Ecumen Hospice for their loving care and support. Memorials are preferred to Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake, MN, or the American Heart Association.

His grandchildren will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Tribute Wall, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vernon Dale Bigalk, please visit our floral store.