Phyllis Jean (Riggs) Bigler, 93, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away on July 12, 2026, following a short illness.

She was born on December 24, 1932, in Liberal, KS, to Mildred and Carl C. Riggs. Phyllis, the fourth of five sisters, was a 1950 graduate of El Dorado High School, where she met her future husband, F. Calvin Bigler. She attended Colorado Women’s College and Southwestern College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1954.

She and Calvin married on June 27, 1954, in El Dorado, KS. The couple then traveled to Germany for a year, where Calvin studied as a Fulbright Scholar. Upon their return to the U.S., the couple moved to New Haven, CT, where Calvin attended Yale Medical School, and Phyllis taught reading to elementary students. During the next ten years, they welcomed five children and relocated several times as Calvin advanced his medical career.

In 1969, the family settled in Garden City, KS, where they were active members of the community for almost 30 years. Phyllis was the foundation of their home. She was passionate about music and sports, and she highly valued education. In Garden City, she volunteered as a pianist for the First United Methodist Church bell choir and was elected to the local school board. She was active in the Kansas Medical Auxiliary, serving as president in 1988, and was a member of P.E.O. Over the years, she particularly enjoyed spending time at their family cabin near La Veta, CO.

Phyllis and Calvin moved to Shiprock, NM, in 1990, for Calvin’s work with the Indian Health Service. In 1996, they moved to Liberal, KS, where he continued his medical practice and she served on the local school board and remained active in P.E.O. They supported local athletics and were members of the First United Methodist Church. They also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. After Calvin’s retirement in 2004, they moved to Cumbernauld Village in Winfield. Phyllis served on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern College and continued membership in P.E.O.

After Calvin passed away in 2010, Phyllis continued to be involved in the community, keeping up with current events, friends and family. Phyllis was honored as a 50-year “Golden Girl” member of P.E.O. in 2020. She also enjoyed entertaining, and every year hosted a Thanksgiving celebration where her clover-leaf rolls were a family favorite.

Phyllis will be remembered for her laughter, stories, wit, love for music and the mountains, her generous spirit, and the twinkle in her bright, blue eyes.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dr. F. Calvin Bigler; her parents, Mildred and Carl C. Riggs; and sisters, Katheryn Riggs, Louise Skuderna, Norma Rose, and Geraldine Sutyak.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Dr. Carl Bigler and wife, Dr. Jane Bigler, of Flagstaff, AZ; Ben Bigler and wife, Beckie, of Edmond, OK; Jon Bigler and wife, Lori, of Meade, KS; Dr. Mark Bigler and wife, Kathryn, of Bowling Green, KY; and Heidi Bolt and husband, Curtis, of Chanute, KS. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date in La Veta, CO.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice.  Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service in Winfield.