Bruce Bigalk Memorial Pavilion
(Cindy Ofstedal, Content Contributor)
It takes a village…that is certainly the case when it came to the realization of the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail. Through the effort of several individuals and community organizations, the dream of this bike trail became a reality in 1998. One of the biggest champions of the completion of the trail was the late Bruce Bigalk.
In the early fall of 2024, Harmony resident Cindy Ofstedal realized that the summer of 2025 would mark the 25th anniversary of Bruce’s passing. She wanted to commemorate the anniversary with something by the trailhead to honor his work making the trail possible. It seemed to her that Harmony had a plethora of benches and signs. One area that could be used for this memorial pavilion was near the new Harmony Splash Pad. The park area here was in need of more seating and picnic areas, so the idea of a pavilion, in memory of Bruce Bigalk, was born.
Building The Dream
The first step in building the pavilion was getting approval from the Harmony Park Board, who generously supported the idea. Bruce’s wife, Alice, along with daughters Kate and Molly, started looking at designs for a pavilion that could be dedicated to Bruce. A letter asking for contributions was sent to family and friends, and posted on social media. In just that initial fundraising drive, approximately $42,000 was donated, and bids were sent out to local contractors.
Local builder, Enos Hershberger, Nolan Lumber, Morem Electric, Falck Cement, Haugerud Painting, Plant Lady Landscapes, Kelly Printing, Letterwerks, and Thrivent were some of the contractors and contributors involved. The goal was to keep it local in true community spirit.
The group approached the Harmony Area Community Foundation for additional funds and although not all bills are in, hope to be close to their budget of $56,000. The pavilion will be stained and include lights and outlets for things like crock pots.
Tribute Wall
The tribute wall is perhaps the crowning touch of the pavilion design, as it shows the progress of getting the Harmony Preston Trail to become a reality. It also features names of committee members and four special people who were important to the trail but are deceased. Mae Peterson (who worked at Harmony Enterprises for 25 years as a Sewing Department Supervisor), Marilyn Trouten, Bruce Bigalk and Ralph Beastrom.
One of the financial contributors and family friend of the Bigalks, Doug Sween, kept talking about how cool it would be to have a rusty sign showing an actual map of the trail. After a long search of deserted farm yards looking for old tin, he reached out to Harmony Enterprises to see if our talented engineers and production staff could assist. With the help of President, Ramon Hernandez, Engineering Manager, Isaac Kruse, and several programming and production staff, Harmony Enterprises was able to donate several pieces of steel for the trail map. Each piece represents a different section of the map and was nested and cut on our new laser table.
Cindy wiped the steel in white vinegar to create a rustic look of the metal prior to its installation on the tribute wall area.
Because it takes a village, we would also like to recognize Harmony’s City Administrator, Alissa Stepflug, Mayor Steve Donney, who is also the treasurer of the HACF, and the continued support of the park board.
Dedication is on July 3rd at 11 am with a pot luck following. Three trees have been sponsored in memory of Steve Sagen (former Harmony Engineer), Del Elston, and Adam Bigalk.
Thank you to all who worked tirelessly to bring this memorial pavilion to Harmony. It takes a village!
