of Mountain View, AR
November 7, 1930 - December 6, 2024
Virginia ''Ginger'' Diana Bigalke, a beloved member of Mountain View, Arkansas, joined her husband, Werner and her Lord and Savior, Jesus in heavenly glory on December 6th, 2024 at the age of 94. Old age could not catch her; however, she succumbed to injuries sustained from an accident. Ginger was born in Harrison near Tomahawk, Wisconsin on November 7th, 1930 to Seivert and Maria Klaver. After the death of her mother when she was 2 years old, she spent her childhood at St. Josephs Orphanage in Superior, WI. She spent the years after her time in the orphanage moving around until she settled in Rhinelander and had five children. She met her second husband, Werner, the absolute love of her life, in her late forties and they married shortly after. Werner and Ginger traveled the world together touring Europe extensively as well as taking many adventures throughout the United States and even spending time in Israel. Ginger remained a devoted volunteer until her last day of life, working for the Stone County Medical Center Auxiliary, as well as regularly visiting the local nursing home to deliver fruit to residents. She adored her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and found great joy in their phone calls and visits, often looking at them and telling them how much she loved them. Many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have fond memories of playing Marbles and Jokers at her kitchen table, but they seldom won. Rumor had it that Grandma would change the rules for her own favor and if you did win a game of marbles, she was sure to call you a cockroach, all with a grin and a twinkle in her eye. Ginger always spoke her mind, standing firm in her beliefs. Her life was one of hard work, love and giving back. Ginger will be remembered for her generous spirit and her unyielding strength.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Werner; all 11 of her siblings and her son, Brian. She is survived by her children, Bobbette (James) LaVoy, Alyce (Harry) Jacob, Nanette (Skip) Avitts and Gary (Kristy) Mangerson; 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
There will be a visitation on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View at 10:00 AM and a Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable life with Pastor Dan Schmidt officiating.
Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.
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19 Condolence(s)
Debbie Hardin
Thursday, December 26, 2024
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Ginger. I took care of her Husband Warner for several years and got to know Ginger. She was a beautiful person and yes, she did speak her mind but she was a great friend of mine. I loved her and she will be missed. The love that her and Warner had for each other. Their love is one that you don’t see much of It was truly a blessing to know them both.
Evelyn Mullen/Nelson
Friday, December 13, 2024
I worked with Ginger at the hospital auxiliary gift shop. I enjoyed her stories so much. She had a great sense of humor and wasn't afraid to express her opinions. I wish I could attend her services but will be out of town. Please accept my condolences. She will be missed.
Eddie L Powell
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Sorry for the family loss
Janet Rodgers
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Blessed to have known this woman. Know that she is now rejoicing in Heaven.
Judy Bishop
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
I considered Ginger a dear friend. She was an unforgettable and unique person. I met her when she came to my house with my daughter-in-law Michelleto use my piano to practice a song Ginger was to sing at church. The song was Panis Angelicus, and she sang it in Latin. Beautifully.
She later told me her life story, about growing up in an orphanage after her mother died, not even remembering her parents. She had a lot of children and little help raising them. Her life was tough until she finally met and married Werner, a deeply kind man. They had adventures. She told me about their sleeping in a tent in the Swiss Alps. She adored him and wouldn't say many sentences without bringing up his name.
I saw her at church two Sundays ago. She looked radiant that day and was still elated about the good article Lori Webb wrote about her for the paper.
Then several days later I ran into her at the post office. Somehow we started talking about what we call " God Winks." She held up her left hand and said, " Well, this ring is one."
She told me how she had given her diamond ring to I believe a granddaughter. She said her hand felt empty. She was at the Walmart parking lot about to get in her car when she looked down and saw a ring, a simple wide band, maybe gold, probably silver. She picked it up and looked around to see if it belonged to anybody there. Nobody was around. She took it inside and asked if anyone had lost a ring. No one had. Back outside she slipped it on her empty rung finger. It was a perfect fit. She wore it for the rest of her life.
Leneil Taylor
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Fly high my Beloved friend. I will always cherish our time spent toether.
Carol Wade
Monday, December 9, 2024
Mrs. Ginger's smiling face and kind ways will be missed by many. May God be with her family as they celebrate this wonderful woman's life.
Debbie Hardin
Monday, December 9, 2024
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Ginger. I took care of her Husband Warner for several years and got to know Ginger. She was a beautiful person and yes, she did speak her mind but she was a great friend of mine. I loved her and she will be missed. The love that her and Warner had for each other. Their love is one that you don’t see much of It was truly a blessing to know them both.
Susan Davis
Monday, December 9, 2024
Ginger was my neighbor on the mountain and I had the privilege of hearing the fascinating stories of her life and adventures.
I loved her spunk and sassines.
I'll miss her singing on her back deck and her ringing the bell to call in the deer for feeding time.
She will be deeply missed.
Susan Davis
Monday, December 9, 2024
Ginger was my neighbor on the mountain and I had the privilege of hearing the fascinating stories of her life and adventures.
I loved her spunk and sassines.
I'll miss her singing on her back deck and her ringing the bell to call in the deer for feeding time.
She will be deeply missed.
Coleen Yoder
Monday, December 9, 2024
My condolences to the family - my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mrs. Ginger made the world around her a better place with her presence, and I very much enjoyed spending time with her. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Dawn Branscum
Monday, December 9, 2024
Bobbette, Alice, Nanette, Gary & families,
I am so sorry about the loss of your Mom. I worked at Stone County Medical Center in Admissions & met Ginger through there. She was so precious to me; a blessing to me & all that met her. I enjoyed all her stories of her & Werner & what all they done. She could put a smile on my face when if I was having a bad day. She would always say how much she missed Werner & was ready to be with him again & Jesus when Jesus was ready for her to come. I met Werner before he passed & he was a kind man. I know she wouldn't want us to mourn for they are reunited again & in the presence of our wonderful Savior, but I can't help it, I will miss her so. Prayers are with you all. May God bless you.
Henry John Pauke III
Monday, December 9, 2024
Missing you Grandma, love you too much.
Chick and Stuart Barnes
Monday, December 9, 2024
Godspeed, Ginger. You are appreciated and remembered by our family, as a fun-loving adventurer, and a joy to be with. Grandpa will be so happy to be with his love once again. Thank you for your kindness, fire, and inspiration.
Ed Miller
Monday, December 9, 2024
Dear friends, remain focused on the blessings this wonderful person brought to your lives and thank God for those blessings often. I have found this the best way to find joy in life. Then ask God to help you be a blessing to others the way “Ginger” was to you. Remember, our lives on this earth are numbered, but God’s love for us is eternal.
Douglas. Honeycutt
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Such a sweet lady and good friend loved playing cards with her and visiting
Laura Garrett
Sunday, December 8, 2024
I’ll always remember her as the lively person she was, prayers to her family. I’m blessed I knew her!
Mona smith
Sunday, December 8, 2024
I work at stone co medical center, and I had the privilege to get to know Ms. Ginger, she was a very hard worker and very funny lady and she became a friend to me, I will greatly miss her stories and her smile. I am so sorry for the loss of this sweet lady. God bless.
Christopher Champion
Sunday, December 8, 2024
This was beautiful.