Hopkins native Norma Elaine Biggs, 96, of Allegan, died Sunday, March 24, at Wings Home in Allegan.
Born Sept. 8, 1927 in Hopkins, she was the daughter of the late William and Hattie (Opperma) Crismon and was the wife of the late John David Biggs.
Norma had resided in Grand Rapids until her husband’s passing in 1976. Shortly after she moved south to Allegan where she settled in as a homemaker but eventually retired as a secretary for Allegan County, where she worked with the Soil Conservation Department.
Norma loved the outdoors and spent her younger years camping in Ludington with John. She was her happiest whenever she was at Lake Michigan and, even after John’s death, often sought out the beach with friends and family. Norma was an avid water skier and was even able to ski on one ski up until she was 65 years old!
Her favorite game was Farkle Dice. Norma’s goal was to beat Mike and would always ask “is it a Farkle night?” She beat Mike for the last time on March 23, 2024. Norma was a fun lady to know and to be around. Her nieces and nephews all called her the “Cool Aunt”. She was very outspoken, and family and friends lovingly referred to her as the feisty white-haired lady.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Mike) Bender; grandsons, Scott (Angela) Bender and their children, Justin, Liz, Calvin and Sienna, and Matthew (Christie) Bender and their children, Taylor and Jordyn; numerous nieces and nephews and their families; and caregivers, Dawn and Cindy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Hattie; her husband, John; and her siblings, Dorothy Jones, Leon “Mike” Crismon, Margaret Truax, Ruth Sneathan and Ralph “Pork” Crismon.
The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 27. A service will begin at noon at the funeral home. Mrs. Biggs will be laid to rest privately at Floral View Memorial Gardens in Grandville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice or Wings Home, 530 Linn St., Allegan, MI.
