Loretta J. (Ems) Bigger, age 92, of Highland IN passed away Thursday, November 5, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. "Bob" Bigger and daughter, Teresa J. Bigger, son, Ronald Bigger, parents Laura Sheppard and Henry Ems, grandmother who raised her, Almeda May Rudd, two brothers, Dale (surviving spouse Tommie) and Bob Ems, and sister Patsy (Curt) Reed.
She is survived by her four children, Timothy "Tim" Bigger, Carrie (Michael) Hemphill, Ellen (Ron) Moss and Richard (partner Ken Menz) Bigger, five grandchildren, Steven and Ashley Moss, Adam and Janie Bigger, and Alan (Hannah) Burns, and three great grandchildren, EmmaLee, Bailey, Brynn Burns, sister Helen (late Bill) Lithgow and many other dear family members.
On June 30th 1956 our Aunt Louise introduced our mother to our father and three years later they married on February 28, 1959, her one and only love of her life. Loretta was a stay-at-home mom for many years. In the 70's she worked for two years at a nursery school at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Most recently, Loretta was a faithful parishioner of First Christian Church in Highland. In the 80's until 1991 she cared for a bed-ridden lady, and later a couple with Alzheimer's. In September 1991 she worked as an aide in a special needs room at Riley Elementary School in Hammond, IN. These were some of the most rewarding years of her life. Through the years she taught Sunday School and she was active in American Baptist Women's Missionary (ABWM). She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going to family reunions and get togethers. Loretta loved her church families and friends that she made in the 92 years of her life.
Family and friends are invited to come together and remember, honor and celebrate Loretta's life on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at Kuiper's Funeral Home at 9039 Kleinman Rd, Highland, IN 46322 from 11am-1pm (visitation), 1pm (service), 2pm (burial) at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crown Point, IN, where she will be laid to rest and reunited with her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Loretta's honor to the Alzheimer's Association.
