Barbara Ann Bignell passed away at Highland Park Care Center on July 13, 2013 at the age of 87.
She was born at her grandmother’s home at 903 Laramie in Alliance on March 14, 1926 to Lester Joseph and Phyllis Alberta (Thompson) Herman of Lakeside, Nebraska. She shared her birthday with her mother.
She attended Lakeside Public School and graduated from Alliance High School in 1943. While she attended AHS she boarded with the Girard family who were life long family friends. She attended Secretarial School in Greeley, CO and had her 1st job as a secretary for Dr. Robert Morgan.
In 1949, while rooming with her best friend Jeanne Bignell, she met Jeanne’s older brother Bill, who became the love of her life. Barb and Bill Bignell were wed on July 3rd 1950 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This love was cut short when Bill died on May 2, 1989.
Barb worked for Black’s Open Range and Hayward’s Open Range for 20 years. She was active in St. Matthews Episcopal Church where she served on the Alter Guild for many years. She loved her volunteer jobs at the Box Butte General Hospital, The Mission Store and the Knight Museum and she brought a smile wherever she went. She and Bill traveled to Santa Fe for many years where they enjoyed a shared love of Native American art.
She is survived by daughters Becci (Don) Thomas, Susi (Rick) Ehrett and Mindi (Chic) Keeley all of Alliance; 7grandchildren: Kelli (Corey) Richter of Scottsbluff, Chad (Lisa) Thomas of Alliance, Eric (Casey) Bignell of Alliance, Nathan Keeley of Portland, Oregon, Dr. Kendra (Lew) Procacci of Missoula, MT, Andy (Jana) Thomas of Colorado Springs, CO and Kristin (Grant) Price of Helena, Mt. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren: Sydney & Jaylen Bignell, Katen, Kyler and Carson Thomas, Marley & Maya Thomas, Case & Kellen Procacci, Arlo Price and her brother Bruce (Shirley) Herman of Joliet, MT along with several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, brother Tommy Herman, great grandson Layne Thomas and great granddaughter Ella Richter.
Funeral services will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 2 p.m. with Fr. Coke McClure officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Bates-Gould Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barb’s name may be sent to St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Prairie Haven Hospice or to the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.