Dorothy A Bigelow

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

Dorothy Ann Bigelow, age 87, of Mankato, died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 24, 2011 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Thursday. Burial will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials may be given to an organization of the donor's choice.

Dorothy was born June 24, 1923 to John and Julia (Kochevar) Papich in Chisholm, MN. She graduated from Chisholm High School and Mankato State Teachers College. She was united in marriage to Cecil Bigelow on March 3, 1945 in Minneapolis. Dorothy and Cecil lived in San Francisco, CA, Lake Bronson, MN, and Burlington IA, before settling in Mankato in 1953. Dorothy was employed by Elysian Public Schools and then St. Peter Public Schools as a teacher for over 38 years. She was an active member of the Association of Teacher Educators and was a past president of the Minnesota chapter. Dorothy was a member of the American Contract Bridge League, where she served on the national board and was past president of the Minnesota chapter; and her success as a bridge player qualified her as a Silver Life Master. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Vivacious and active, Dorothy was an avid card player and an excellent bowler. She enjoyed traveling and especially loved socializing and spending time with family and friends.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Cecil of Mankato; son, Robert (Joan) Bigelow of Hockessin, DE; two daughters, Janine (Jeremiah) Bumgarner of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Mary Bigelow of Ham Lake, MN; six grandchildren, Jamie Crandell, Christy Bigelow, Josh, Jacob, and Eli Steinbauer, and Richard Terry; great-grandson, Jack Crandell.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jackie Papich.