Dennis Clair Bigelow, 81, of Cedar Falls, passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics on Thursday, September 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sumner on December 1, 1942, son of Clair and Maye (Morf) Bigelow. Denny graduated from West Central Maynard High School with the Class of 1961, then Wartburg College in 1965 with a B.S. in Economics. On August 14, 1965, he married his fellow Wartburg Classmate and true love, Alma Marie Brunscheen, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Iowa. Denny worked a variety of sales and marketing jobs during his early twenties but retired after many dedicated years from School Specialty formerly J.S. Latta Co.
Denny was a born leader beginning in High School with involvement in FFA, baseball, basketball, band, 4-H, science club, Fayette County Code of Conduct Committee and as President of his Class. Following graduation, he went to Wyoming to work on a ranch before beginning his college studies. At Wartburg, Denny served on the Business Student Association, Dorm Council, Constitutional Revisions Committee and played Golf. Though he always loved golf and played pool better with one hand than most could with both, his true passion became the Iowa State Trapshooting Association for which he served several terms as President and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2005. Denny felt strongly that the sport taught respect, especially among the younger shooters and that safety was a paramount value ingrained in all participants. He was known as “Mr. Ambassador” because he so positively represented everything he had seen and personally experienced in trap shooting. Denny was full of stories about the sport but rarely shared his own accomplishments which included the prestigious Ottumwa Diamond Badge awarded to the handicap champion with the most targets shot (50/50). His ambassadorship was also evident in his involvement at Nazareth Lutheran Church where he was seen, at nearly every service, helping to greet and usher everyone who gathered for worship. Denny was usually ready with his beaming smile and a new “Ole and Lena” joke. He’s probably sharing those jokes with his Lord even now.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by Alma, his bride of 59 years; daughter, Kara (Scott) Bigelow-Baker; grandchildren: Kaelyn (Justin) Christensen, Austyn (Lucas Brockman) Christensen, Fallyn Grubic, Camryn (Baylie) Grubic and Brenyn Grubic; great-grandchildren: Tristyn, Aaryn, Ruthie Maye, Wolf, Theo, Knox and Autumn; and many extended family members and countless friends (Denny never met a stranger).
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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