Roma Beth Bigelow

Funeral services for Roma will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska, with Chaplain Shari Lagemann officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan, Nebraska. Public visitation will begin Friday from 1 pm until 8 pm at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan. Memorials are directed to the Milligan Auditorium. Roma Beth Bigelow, of Milligan, Nebraska passed away on March 2, 2016 at the Friend Manor at the age of 79 years 7 months and 27 days. She was born on July 6, 1936 in Geneva, Nebraska to Mildred H. (Hines) Buzek and Milo E. Buzek. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Roma spent her childhood on a farm in Tobias, surrounded by her loving parents, siblings, cousins and many aunts and uncles. They were a very close family, and spent a lot of their time together at many family gatherings. She graduated from Milligan High in Nebraska and attended the Lincoln School of Commerce. It was in Lincoln where she met the love of her life, and very strong willed husband, Henry “Hank” Bigelow. Together they wed, and Roma relocated to New Hampshire, Henry’s hometown, at the age of 19. This was a daunting task for Roma as she had never been out of the state of Nebraska. To this union, four children were born; Julie, Laura, Beth and Mark. Roma adapted quite well and enjoyed the new experiences of seafood, winding roads and the woods of New England. In 1969 the family headed west, relocating to Napa Valley, California where Roma settled in her new home in the River Park Estates. Although Roma never learned to swim, she now lived on the Napa River, complete with a 31-foot boat and dock in her backyard. Once again, Roma graciously took full advantage of yet another new experience, embracing the valley and all the excitement the wine country offered in the 1970’s and 80’s. Roma loved to cook…she taught herself how to make gourmet meals and loved to be in charge of catering many meals for the yacht club and marinas. Roma also became an accomplished first mate and fisherman; usually very lucky in landing the largest and heaviest salmon, grouper, or whatever was the catch of the day, much to her husbands chagrin. During this period in the Napa Valley she also worked as a Personnel Manager for Sawyer Tanning of Napa as well as Ray Burlison Real Estate. After retiring in 1989, she and Hank moved to Florida where they purchased their dream home and dreamboat, which they named “Abracadabra”. They spent their time with their good friends at the Hernando Beach Yacht Club where Roma prepared countless feasts for their many parties and functions. Roma also was an accomplished seamstress, in her younger years, sewing most of the families clothing, as well as upholstering many boat cushions, etc. She loved to do crafts and helped paint and stain her husbands many woodworking projects. Hank and Roma returned to Milligan in 2005 to spend their remaining years with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her many relatives in the area. Roma was actively involved in volunteering at the library and the WWII plane crash memorial established on the north corner of Milligan. While retired in Milligan, Roma suffered from a stroke, which greatly reduced her ability to be as active as she wished, however, she continued to move ahead and take care of her husband and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Milo, husband, Henry, and sister-in-laws; Betty Buzek and Joyce Kemp. She is survived by daughters, son, spouses: Julie Pimentel, Laura (Dean) Kassik, Beth Dunlap, Mark (Becky) Bigelow; sister, brother and spouse; Merle Buzek, Kathy (Dick) Rischling: 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Roma Beth Bigelow

July 6, 1936 - March 2, 2016