Arlin Bigalk, 87

Dec. 13, 1934 —

Aug. 20, 2022

 

CRESCO - Arlin D. Bigalk, age 87, of Cresco, Iowa, died on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Accura HealthCare of Cresco.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at the Cresco Community Chapel, with Dr. Jon Van Dine officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service.  Burial will be at Fremont Lutheran Cemetery in Cresco.  

Arlin Dale Bigalk was born on Dec. 13, 1934, at home, in a snow storm, seven miles north of Cresco in Fremont Township, Winneshiek County, to Arthur Martin and Luana Jenora (Peterson) Bigalk. His father had to drive the team of horses half-way to Cresco to meet the doctor and bring him the rest of the way to the farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Fremont Lutheran Church in rural Winneshiek County. 

As a youth, Arlin was active in his local 4-H club, taking his cattle to compete at the county fair.  He attended Fremont #3 country school and graduated from eighth grade there. He did not continue formal education, but instead stayed home to help on the family farm. He continued to live and farm there until retiring to Cresco in 1998.

During his farming years he raised a variety of livestock including sheep, goats, hogs and milk cows, along with crop farming many acres. Many of those years were spent farming with his brother, Wayne. He was also a Crows seed corn salesman. He loved dogs and always had at least one by his side. He was particularly fond of Spitz and Samoyeds.

Arlin and Wilma Sanders Landswerk were married at Fremont Lutheran Church on May 25, 1974, where they were both members. They farmed together and milked cows for many years. He was a member of the American Jersey Cattle Club and the American Milking Shorthorn Association.

He was a member of Fremont Lutheran Church until it disbanded in 1976. He continued to support the Fremont Cemetery Association by serving as a trustee and helping on annual clean up days. He and Wilma researched local history and produced a genealogy book on his Bigalk heritage.

Arlin is survived by daughter, Laurie (Bob) Tupy; grandchildren, Jackie (Matt) Beran, Barbie Tupy, Bryan Tupy, Jenni Tupy and Bethany (Andy Sollien) Daniel; three great grandchildren; and one brother, Dean.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wilma Bigalk; two sisters, Doris Doughty and Ethel Dvorak; two brothers, Wayne and William (in infancy); two sisters-in-law, Rose Bigalk and Gertrude Bigalk; and two brothers-in-laws, Tom Doughty and Tom Dvorak.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Fremont Cemetery Association or the Howard County Community Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.