Glenn Edward Biggs, 89, of Rockford, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Rockwell Community Nursing Home.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Burial will take place in the Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Glenn’s family requests those attending to dress casually. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home is caring for Glenn and his family.
Glenn Edward was born February 14, 1934, to parents Guy Markley and Ida Mary (O’Rourke) Biggs on a farm northwest of Rockford, the ninth of ten children. The family then moved to an acreage on the south edge of Rockford, where he grew up and attended Rockford Schools.
On September 12, 1953, Glenn was united in marriage to Donna Schutz in Charles City. The couple lived in Mason City until making their home in Rockford in 1959.
Some of Glenn’s early work experiences included working as a hired hand doing various jobs on his brother-in-law’s farm. At the age of 16, he began working at the Rockford Brick and Tile Company. He worked various positions there before driving truck for the company. He loved being on the road and visiting with people in all the truck stops he pulled into. Knowing the Brick and Tile would eventually be closing, Glenn became an auto mechanic at Fischer Chevrolet in Rockford in 1972. Two years later, he started working at the Rockford Co-op Elevator where he eventually became assistant manager and served for 22 years. Glenn retired in 1996.
Glenn was a true Mr. Fix-It and mechanic. He and Donna worked on a 30 year renovation of their Rockford home. Glenn enjoyed working on anything with an engine, especially small engines such as in golf carts, lawnmowers, and snow blowers. He would often find a deal on something, fix it up, and give it to someone in need. Most recently, he worked on and repaired walkers. When he wasn’t tinkering, he could be found watching or listening to the Minnesota Vikings or Iowa Hawkeyes.
Glenn and Donna enjoyed many trips together in their camper, with a favorite being to Alaska. When Donna’s health began to decline shortly after his retirement, Glenn helped to care for her in their home until her passing in 2010. After Donna’s passing, he enjoyed getting out on the road for day trips in his Subaru. He especially enjoyed the towns surrounding and along the Mississippi River, where he would find a café for coffee and talk to the locals. He was so proud of his 1928 Dodge Brothers car, putting it in car shows, driving it in parades, or pulling the teardrop camper.
Glenn loved his hometown, and was referred to as the town historian. He had quite a collection of photos of Rockford, and found Facebook was the perfect place to share them and the memories with all of his friends, near and far. He used Facebook to stay connected, and enjoyed seeing photos and getting updates on what everyone was doing.
Above all else, Glenn thought the world of his family and looked forward to times when he could attend family get-togethers and activities. He was so proud of all of them and all of their accomplishments, big or small.
Glenn is survived by daughter Glennys (Bruce) Engleman of Cascade, IA, and son Markley (Kathy) Biggs of Rockford; grandchildren Brianne Engleman of Hampton, Bobbi (Brent) Burg of Town of Middleton, WI, Trevor (Kelsey) Biggs of Ames, Kacie (Justin) Abell of Dougherty, and Jessica (Justin) Chambers of Nora Springs; great-grandchildren Ethan and Miles Burg, Henry Biggs, Austin, Jordan, Kayden, Addilyn, and Huxton Abell, and Leo and Lucas Chambers; brother James Biggs of Charles City; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Donna, brothers Henry Biggs, Robert Biggs, and Earl Biggs, sisters Elma Dow, Gladys Waters, Irene Biggs, Sylvia Pahl and Evelyn Hogan, brothers-in-law Clayton Waters, Mel Pahl and Don Hogan, sister-in-law Bonnie Biggs, and nephew Jeff Biggs.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Rockwell Community Nursing Home, 707 Elm St E, Rockwell, IA 50469.
counsellwoodleyfuneralhome.com
