Robert James Bigaouette

Robert J. Bigaouette, age 87 of rural Henderson, (Jessenland Township), died at his home on Sunday morning, December 15, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 at St. Anne's Catholic Church at 10 A.M. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 4-7 P.M. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur, and continued one hour prior to the service and procession to church. Lunch to follow the Mass at St. Anne's School, followed by the interment in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Henderson, MN.

Robert was born on January 3, 1937, to Frank and Patricia (Kelly) Bigaouette on the family farm in Jessenland Township. He was baptized, received his First Communion, and was confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Henderson, where he was an active member. Robert attended school in Henderson and graduated in 1955. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957. He was a very proud member of the Henderson Legion Club.

On August 29, 1959, Robert married Sylvia Robeck at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arlington. The couple went on to purchase the family farm in Jessenland Township, where Robert developed a deep love for the land. He took great pride in the fact that this was the only home he lived in for the next 64 years.

After returning from his Navy service, Robert worked in road construction. In 1961, he joined Green Giant Ag Research in Le Sueur, where he served as a senior technologist in the sweet corn division.  He retired 38 years later in 1999.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sylvia. Together, they raised seven children: Terry (Sue) Bigaouette, Denise Winter, Barb (David) Viehweg, Brenda (James) Kroehler, Debbie (Rick) Groebner, Joe (Julie) Bigaouette, and Frank Bigaouette. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Jason Winter, Amanda Kuch, Bob Kroehler, Brad Walsh, Brian Winter, Matthew Bigaouette, Russell Kroehler, Holly Walsh-Otto, Jake Viehweg, Courtney Henning, Breanna Kroehler, Tommy Bigaouette, Mitchell Bigaouette, Ben Groebner, and Hunter Bigaouette. Robert was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Kyson, Harper, Gage, Griffin, Eli, Rydan, Seville, Nora, Theo, Mae, Grady, Braxton, Jace, Lillian, Lee, and Evelyn. He is further survived by his sister, Mary Kolter, sister-in-law Ann Bigaouette, and many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Ella Berger and La Rene Kehoe, and his brothers William Bigaouette and Pat Bigaouette. He was also preceded by two grandsons, Ryan and Brendan Kroehler; three great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Brynlee, and Parker Otto; and his son-in-law, Bruce Winter. In addition, Robert was preceded in death by his father- and mother-in-law, Ethel and Lorence Boehne, as well as his brothers-in-law Art Berger, Cecil Kehoe, and Jim Kolter.