Edward Bigelow

Edward Charles Bigelow passed away peacefully at the age of 85, surrounded by his family on January 10, 2018, in Denver, Colorado after an extended illness. Ed was born on February 18, 1932, to Lulu and Orin Bigelow and was shaped by the rural and modest upbringing in Nashua, IA – learning to make the most of any opportunity. Laboring at the chicken farm or carpentry work paled in comparison to his love of playing sports. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1950 and left home to attend Iowa State Teachers College to pursue his dream of being a high school basketball coach. After one year and a different inspiration, he transferred to Iowa State University in Ames and went on to graduate with a BS in Civil Engineering on a ROTC scholarship. There, he met a co-ed, Gertrude (Trudie) Marple from Sioux City, IA and they married on September 10, 1955. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and moved the newlyweds to Harlingen, TX where their first son, Steven was born. They were transferred to Sacramento, California serving two more years, where their daughter, Diane was born. After his military service they moved to Sioux City, IA, where he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation, and where their second son, Brian was born. The couple settled in Ida Grove, IA where they raised their family and enjoyed close friendships. Ed served as Ida County Engineer for many years before starting Bigelow Engineering to serve western Iowa. In addition, Ed generously gave of his time to the community by serving on the board of the United Methodist Church, the Kiwanis Club, the Ida Grove Library Board and the Crawford County Sheltered Workshop which provided job opportunities and mentoring for the disabled. Ed’s last employment opportunity took them to Ames, IA where he worked for the ISU Traffic Safety Education Program for five years. Once retired, Ed and Trudie enjoyed lake living in Texas before returning to family and friends in Ames. During their later years, they moved to the Denver area to be with family. Ed is survived by his wife of 62 years, Trudie Bigelow and his dear siblings, Elmer Bigelow (Jean) of St. Albans, VT, Curt Bigelow of Decorah, IA and Gennie Springer of Charles City, IA. He was a devoted and loving father to his three children Steven (Tamara) Bigelow of League City, TX, Diane (Dave) Triggs of Aurora, CO and Brian (Sharon) Bigelow of Apex, NC. He was most proud of his eight grandchildren – Naomi Triggs, Josh (Dina) Triggs, Evan (Megan) Bigelow, Jeremy (Jessica) Triggs, Eric (Kate) Bigelow, Paul Triggs, Sarah Bigelow and Matthew Bigelow and his five great-grandchildren who blessed him with so much joy. Ed will forever be remembered as a life-long learner, a voracious reader, family historian and lover of ISU sports teams. He was kind, gentle and honorable, and devoted to his country, his family, and God above all. A celebration of Edward Bigelow’s life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Ida Grove, IA in the late spring or early summer.