Donna Rae Bigler

BLUE MOUNDS - Donna Rae (U’Ren) Bigler, age 94, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Upland Hills Hospital in Dodgeville, surrounded by her family. She was born Aug. 5, 1927, the older sister of Tom at the old St. Joseph Hospital, currently Upland Hills Hospital, to Harvey and Blanche U’Ren. She graduated from Mount Horeb High School. A friend of Donna’s told her that there was a cute boy she thought she would like. Donna said she was willing to meet this boy but only after she got to see what he looked like. So they set it up that she would walk past the window at the bowling alley in downtown Mount Horeb. If she thought he was cute, then she would go into the bowling alley and meet him. Well that boy made the cut, because on Feb. 15, 1947, Donna married Jack Bigler. They had 50 wonderful years together. Jack had a second open-heart surgery in January 1997. She stayed with Jack and took care of him every day for six weeks until his passing on March 6, 1997. Donna took Jack’s passing hard, but like everything she did in life, she would take on all the challenges and press forward. She would never hang on to the negatives. She saw the positives in life and always focused on those positives. The most important things to Donna were her family, the farm and neighboring. As long as she had that, she didn’t need anything else. She was a bookkeeper when working away from the farm. Donna very much enjoyed all of her bookkeeping jobs. She especially enjoyed working at Stauffer Cheese in her final 20 years prior to retirement. She often mentioned how well Alex and George treated her. After Donna’s retirement, she was very appreciative of George’s visits. Donna’s absolute favorite thing to do was playing cards. She also loved to travel. Sometimes when they would leave for vacation, they would get to the first stop sign and look at each other and say “east or west?” They saw all the states (except Hawaii and Alaska), numerous islands, Europe, and the farm where her father-in-law was born in Switzerland. Her favorite place to visit was Georgetown, Colo., where she got to spend nine of her birthdays. Donna belonged to West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church. She volunteered as the financial secretary for the church for 25 years, and was treasurer of the Cemetery Board, Blue Mounds WELCA and the Blue Mounds Historical Society. Donna would say she didn’t always have an easy life, but she had a really good life with no regrets. She wanted to stay on the farm and not go to the nursing home, which she achieved. She was able to pass peacefully, due to the exceptional care provided by the CNAs, nurses, helpers, and doctors of the 2nd floor staff at Upland Hills. Donna is survived by her children, David (Karin) Bigler, Julie Bigler (Gene Short), Steven (Renee) Bigler, Scott (Doreen) Bigler and Kim Bigler (Tammy Frey); five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; and sister-in-law, Carolyn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; daughter, Jeanne; parents, Harvey and Blanche; brother, Tom; and her cats, Whiskers and Smoke. A funeral service will be held at WEST BLUE MOUNDS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2962 Church St., Blue Mounds, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Donna’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at the time of service. Burial will be held at West Blue Mounds Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral and Cremation Care, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Memorial donations may be made to West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com . POEM FOR MOM Our mother has lived a happy and full life, A bookkeeper, mother and a farmer’s wife. Here are some of the things we will miss so much, Hands that were so soft to the touch. To make sure we did not fight, When we were sick she made us feel alright. She taught us hard work, be fair, respect your husband or wife, Things that will make each of us better in life. And whether a daughter or a son, She made us feel as we were all number one. So as each of us will now grow old, Put in our memories and our hearts to hold. Today you can grieve but don’t be sad, Mom is now playing cards with our dad. ~Love, the kids Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care 500 N. Eight St. (608) 437-5077