J. W. “Bill” Bixenmann, 71, of Dell Rapids passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.
Funeral services in Grand Island, NE will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at All Faiths Funeral Home, 2929 S. Locust with burial to follow at Grand Island Cemetery.
J. W. “Bill” was born February 17, 1943 in Woodward, OK to parents John and Clara (Foale) Bixenmann. He attended school in Grand Island, NE and graduated from high school in Denver, CO. Bill worked for Lockheed Martin for a short time before starting his career with Western Electric/ Alcatel-Lucent, retiring after thirty years. Bill married Judy Wiese and lived in Grand Island. This union was blessed with two children. Bill and Lucy Snyder Gibson were married December 18, 1982. They moved to Dell Rapids in 1987. Bill started Tender Lawn Care business as he always enjoyed landscaping. He was an avid snowmobiler and motorcyclist and liked racing. Bill was active in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Bill looked forward to breakfast and coffee with the guys each day. He loved all children especially babies.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lucy Bixenmann, Dell Rapids; children, Jackie (John) Bartu, Grand Island, John (Brenda) Bixenmann, Grand Island; Adam Gibson, Dell Rapids, Ryan (Ann) Gibson, Aurora, CO ; six grandchildren, Caitlin (Nate) Stalhnecker, Bryce Bartu, Taylor Bartu, Kylee Story, Sierra Bixenmann and Dylan Gibson; great-granddaughter, Dahlia Wassinger; brothers, Mike (Norma) Bixenmann, Ogallala, NE, Randy Bixenmann, Elko, Fred Bixenmann; and sister, Janice Brandt, Grand Island, NE. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara; sister, Beth and granddaughter, Amber Wietzel.