ELMA — Coralee “Cora” Kay Bigley, 72, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at her home in Elma.
Friends will greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma. Visitation will continue for one hour before the funeral service, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, at the funeral home with Rev. Zachary Bigley officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Elma.
Cora was born May 18, 1954, in New Hampton, the daughter of Raymond and Bernice (Hageman) Karnik. She grew up in the Little Turkey area and graduated from Turkey Valley High School in 1972.
Shortly after graduation, Cora began working for the Sara Lee Corporation in New Hampton. It was there that she met Mike Bigley, and the two fell in love. They married May 4, 1974, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Little Turkey and went on to build a life centered on their family and six children.
Cora later worked at Tri-Mark in New Hampton before eventually retiring from outside employment to become what her family lovingly considered a full-time granny. Throughout her working years, she was known for being dependable, responsible and proud of a job well done.
Family stood at the heart of Cora’s life. She embraced being a wife, mother, granny and great-granny and had a way of making sure the people she loved knew just how important they were to her. She was generous with her time and energy and often put the needs of others ahead of her own.
Cora also knew how to make a house feel like home. She became an accomplished cook while feeding a large family and enjoyed preparing meals that brought everyone together.
Gardening, caring for animals and tending to the family hobby farm were other important parts of her life. The work was never simply another item on a chore list for Cora. She found satisfaction in caring for the things around her and appreciated the simple pleasures that came with country life.
Her creativity became part of the memories her children carried with them. Halloween was especially memorable in the Bigley household, where Cora used her imagination and talent to create costumes that ensured her children had some of the coolest outfits around.
Cora also had a gift for making things fun. Her laughter, enthusiasm and willingness to enjoy the moment made her someone family and friends loved having nearby. Her Christian faith remained an important part of her life and helped guide the way she cared for and treated others.
Cora is survived by her husband, Mike Bigley of Elma; children Kelly (Jeff Myron) Bauer of Elma, Pete Bigley of Riceville, Tracy (Michael) Adams of Riceville, Katelyn (Travis) Hemesath of Greeley and Patrick (Sabree) Bigley of Riceville; grandchildren Jordan Bauer, Kyler Bauer (Michaela Juelsgaard), Allie Bigley, Jack Adams, AvaLee Adams, Lilah Bigley and Leland Bigley, with another grandchild on the way; great-grandchildren Hendrix Conger and Boyd Bauer; sister Vick Karnik of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her son, Paul Bigley; granddaughter Letty Bigley; her in-laws, Bud and Bette Bigley; and sister Karla Karnik.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the family, which will select an organization for a future donation in Cora’s memory.
More information about Cora’s life and services is available through Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home.
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