Harry William Bigalke

Harry W. Bigalke, 99 of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday evening, December 5, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Harry will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the spring at Chain Lakes Cemetery, rural Churchs Ferry. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and at the church one hour prior to services. Music will be cared for by Russell Pearson, Soloist and Lynda Pearson, Organist Harry William Bigalke was born on March 2, 1906 in Darling Township, near Little Falls, Minnesota the oldest of five boys. His father, Otto Bigalke was an immigrant from Germany and his mother, Alma Bigalke emigrated from Sweden. Harry grew up on a farm near Randall, Minnesota where he attended a country school and graduated from Little Falls High School. He later attended Minnehaha Academy in St. Paul and then in 1926 began working for National Tea Company in Minneapolis as a warehouse/inventory employee. He then started auditing in the country stores, traveling throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota where National Tea had over 150 stores. In 1932, Harry was transferred to the Duluth branch as auditor and assistant supervisor and then in 1934, Harry was sent to Devils Lake to take emergency charge of the store and as Harry said “I never found my way out of town.” National Tea Company flourished and grew, moving to larger facilities and was known as the friendliest store around under Harry’s management. While in Devils Lake, Harry met the love of his life, Selma “Sally” Johnson of Churchs Ferry and on June 1, 1941 they were united in marriage. In March of 1942, Harry entered the United States Army serving his country during World War II. He served 3 ½ years in the South Pacific operating PX’s and army warehouses in Trekloben and was honorably discharged on October 20, 1945. He returned to Devils Lake and he continued to manage the National Tea Company and care for his family. Their beautiful, darling daughter, Patricia was born on September 7, 1947 and passed away in January 21, 1952. In 1971, Harry retired after 43 years with National Tea Company. Harry had also worked for many years with Mike Steffan at the Westside Grocery and they enjoyed many retirement hobbies together. After retirement, Harry and Sally continued to make their home in Devils Lake. They enjoyed traveling around the country and visiting with family and friends everywhere. Sally died on June 27, 1993. Harry was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, VFW, Elks Lodge and Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce. Harry always said, “Life was good to me and I owe eternal thanks to my God, my guardian Angel and all of my dear family and friends.” Harry is survived by: Several Nieces and Nephews Brother-In-Law: Alvin Johnson Sisters-In-Law: Bernice Bigalkie and Ruth Wilson Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Selma; his precious daughters, Patricia and a daughter at birth; brothers, Alfred, Earl, Ralph, and George Bigalke and dear friend, Mike Steffan. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND