Wanieta Elaine (Kimmel) Bigelow

     Wanieta Elaine Bigelow, age 86, of Elsie, MI, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI.

     A cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Wanieta's Life will be held at a later date. Wanieta will be buried beside her first husband at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI at a later date.

     Wanieta was born in North Star, MI, on September 21, 1936, the daughter of Clinton Alonzo and Hazel Thelma (Carothers) Kimmel.  On April 8, 1952, Wanieta married Russell William Nieman. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1974.  On June 20, 1975, Wanieta married Alton Kenneth Bigelow at their home in Elsie, MI. They have been blessed with forty-seven years of marriage. Wanieta worked for ITT Hancock (Lear) for nearly ten years.

     Wanieta liked to snowmobile at the cabin up north. She and Alton rode bikes all over and walked in Elsie regularly. They enjoyed traveling with their camper for many years. They liked to take trips with Joe and Ruth and took a trip to Alaska. She loved working in her yard and tending her flower beds. When she could no longer have dogs, she began collecting stuffed animals of all sorts. She and Alton were members of Ovid Trinity Church.

     She is survived by her husband Alton, four children: Robert Eugene (Lyn) Nieman Sr. of Alma, MI; Debra Lee Thayer of Ithaca, MI; Michael Russell (Sue) Nieman of St. Louis, MI; and Cindy Lou (Mark) Tullar of Crossville, TN; thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and eleven great- great grandchildren. She is also survived by: three sisters: Ruth Malek of Ashley, MI; Sharilyn Chilcoat of Ithaca, MI; and Rosemary Bancroft of Bad Axe, MI; two sisters-in-law: Sandra Kimmel of Brant, MI; and Judy Kimmel of Ithaca, MI; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Russell Nieman, father & mother-in-law Albert and Florence Bigelow, five brothers: Lester, Duane, Ronnie, Ivan, and James; infant sisters: Connie, Bonnie, Joyce, Phyllis and Twilla; sister-in-law MaryLou (Tom) Rickman; three brothers-in-law: Joseph Malek, Joe Bancroft, and James Chilcoat.

     Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.