Marilyn Gertrude Bigbee

Marilyn Gertrude Bigbee, 94, of North Mankato, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Birchwood Cottages in North Mankato.

Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend to everyone. She had a giver’s heart and was always the first to volunteer to help with anything and everything.

Marilyn was born January 26, 1932, in Westbrook, Minnesota, to Clarence and Olga (Kleven) Erickson. She graduated from Westbrook High School in 1950 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, for two years. During those two years at Concordia, she made lifelong friends and was thrilled to sing in the Concordia Choir, directed by Paul Christiansen. The choir traveled throughout the United States performing, and years later Marilyn had the joy of reuniting with fellow choir alumni to sing at Carnegie Hall.

Kent and Marilyn (Erickson) Bigbee were married on June 8, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. They lived in Tampa, Florida, for two years and enjoyed their time there, making many lifelong Air Force friends. Kent was discharged from the Air Force in 1954, and he and Marilyn returned to Jeffers following the death of his father, Joe. They spent approximately 30 years in Jeffers, raising their children, before relocating to Mankato.

After their children had graduated from high school, Marilyn decided to return to school and complete the college degree she had started years earlier. She began taking classes at Mankato State and commuted to Mankato each week. At one point, she lived in one of the college dormitories—where she was, not surprisingly, the oldest resident. She later lived with the Sisters of Notre Dame, which was a bit more to her liking.

In 1985, 33 years after beginning college at Concordia, Marilyn graduated from Mankato State with a degree in accounting. After receiving her degree, she began working as a staff accountant at Abdo, Abdo and Eick, now Abdo, Eick and Meyer. She enjoyed her work there for six years before retiring in 1992.

Marilyn’s life was filled with service to others. She volunteered at the Jeffers United Methodist Church, helping with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was a Brownie Scout leader, a Great Books Discussion Leader for gifted children, and a volunteer at the Delft Day Activity Center for people with disabilities near Windom.

Marilyn and Kent were members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato, where Marilyn sang in the senior choir. She was also a member of the Hilltoppers, served on the ECHO Food Shelf Board of Directors, and volunteered with VINE and Hot Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Sons of Norway and, for many years, volunteered once a week to provide companionship and assistance to a disabled friend.

Marilyn enjoyed her Norwegian heritage—although after taking a DNA test, she discovered she was a bit Nigerian, too. She loved sewing, crafts, walking, garage sales, antiquing, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and, most of all, her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn loved her family deeply and was devoted to creating lasting memories and heirlooms for them. She and Kent adored their grandchildren and made time to attend their activities and events. When their children were older, there were many family gatherings in Nebraska where the Colorado family could meet up with the Minnesota family.

Whether it was her fabulous food and special individualized treats, scrapbooks for each of the grandchildren, Hardanger gifts for her children, sleepovers with the grandchildren, or the many handmade clothing items that were often better than anything you could buy in a store, Marilyn put love into everything she did. She even made a blazer for Kevin for his graduation. And when the family came to Colorado, she always brought snickerdoodles.

Then there were the collectibles and Fire-King. What a fun time Kent and Marilyn had scouring garage and estate sales for these treasures. When they first started collecting, others weren’t as interested, and they could often find pieces for as little as $1. Marilyn once picked up a bracelet at a garage sale that was marked $25. She realized it was solid gold, so she returned it to the very happy seller.

At the beginning of Marilyn’s dementia, her family believes she knew something was changing. She became determined to make pillows for everyone using crazy-quilt stitching pieces her mother had made. It took her much longer than it once would have, but she was determined to finish them. This was her last crafting project, and, like everything Marilyn did, it was perfect.

Marilyn was born with a song in her heart. After singing in the Concordia Choir, she continued to sing throughout her life, participating in choirs at the Jeffers United Methodist Church and Christ the King Church in Mankato.

Her dear friend, Jody Wallschleger, introduced Marilyn to the Singing Hills Chorus in Mankato, a group made up of members living with dementia and their sponsors. Marilyn’s family and friends were blessed to see and hear her perform at their concerts, where it was clear that singing still filled her heart.

Kent was especially proud that Marilyn won first place in a talent contest in Windom when she was in her late teens. Despite much research and Marilyn’s limited memories, the family was never able to discover the name of the song she sang that night. They do know, however, the songs she sang with Joan Villa on August 14, 1941, when Marilyn was just nine years old.

Marilyn was always organized, thorough, and meticulous. She approached everything she did with care and a desire to do it just right. She had saved a recording of herself singing as a nine-year-old, and the family had it transferred to tape. Kevin shared that recording with her many times during her final days.

Although Marilyn did not respond, Kevin noticed that her hearing aids were in the day before she passed. For that, the family is especially grateful to the wonderful staff at Birchwood Cottages and Moments Hospice. They like to believe that Marilyn heard her nine-year-old self singing once again: “Teddy Bear Parade, “God Bless America,” “Playmates,” and “You Are My Sunshine.”

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Linda (Jim) Missling of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandson Chris (Tiffany); and great-grandchildren Lily and Carter; grandson Anthony “Tony” Karschnik (Renee) of Pueblo, Colorado, son of her late daughter Kerry; great-granddaughter Sarah (Julian) Suggs; great-great-grandchildren Aislynn and Julian Stetson; great-grandson Tanner; and son-in-law Javier “Jay” Alvarado of Pueblo West, Colorado. She is also survived by her son, Kevin (Gale) Bigbee of North Mankato; granddaughters Kelsey Bigbee and Allie (Tanner) Isakson; daughter, Kristi (Bob) Butler of Revere, Minnesota; grandson Dan (MacKenzie) Butler and great-granddaughter Bryar; granddaughter Laura (Rob) Albertson; great-grandsons Joseph and Dylan (Shanaya); and great-great-grandchildren Lexie and Bo.

Marilyn is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Donna (Roger) Erickson and Myrna (Gary) Erickson; her dear friend Jody; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Olga (Kleven) Erickson; her brothers, Roger Erickson and Gary Erickson; her daughter, Kerry (Jay) Alvarado, who passed away from ALS in 2012; her grandson, Jaime Karschnik; her father- and mother-in-law, Joe and Maybelle (Wessell) Bigbee; and her brother-in-law, Reid Bigbee.

When their daughter Kerry became ill, Marilyn and Kent made many heartbreaking trips to Colorado to be with her and their family. Now they are gathered together again, rejoicing.

A special thank you goes to all who played such important roles in Marilyn’s life: her family, her friends, and especially the friends Marilyn and Kent made during their senior years. What great fun they all had as the “Buster” group!

About 10 months ago, Marilyn lost her beloved husband of 73 years. Their family could not be more thankful for the excellent caregivers and staff at Birchwood Cottages and Moments Hospice. Marilyn often said, “I like this place.” They could not have received better care.

Despite Marilyn’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she and Kent were blessed to have one another throughout their golden years. As Kent would say, “We help each other. She helps me see, and I help her remember.” Their family is grateful that Mom and Dad were able to spend those years together, and they were often spotted simply holding one another’s hands.

When her memories and communication started to fail her, she would often call her daughters and grand-daughters “Tudy” her high school friend and would frequently say “what a nice boy/man or what a nice girl/lady” – all with a smile. She was always happy!

Marilyn’s life was one of love, service, music, creativity, family, and friendship. She gave generously of herself and left behind not only the things she made with her hands, but the memories she created with her heart. Her family and friends will carry those memories—and her song—with them always.

Visitation will be held at the Northview-North Mankato Mortuary (2060 Commerce Drive) Tuesday. September 8th at 9:30 a.m. with a Memorial Service and luncheon following at 10:30 a.m.

Please make memorials to Christ the King Church or Singing Hills, both in Mankato