Lois Higgins

Lois Eileen (Hagedorn) Higgins, daughter of Martin Hagedorn and Dorothy (Lee) Hagedorn, was born July 18, 1947, at Shenandoah, and passed away Aug. 29 at the Greene County Medical Center.

As a small child, Lois grew up in Shenandoah, where her father, Martin, had made his stake in the world. Lois attended Shenandoah schools until her sophomore year.

Lois was brought up in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, where her older sister, Rita, and her would walk to Sunday school at the ages of 5 and 7. Her father, Martin, would say, “If I didn’t know where Lois was, I need look no further than the churches pews.”

Lois was united in marriage to Garry Wayne Higgins on Aug. 8, 1963, at the Lutheran Church in Omaha at the ripe old age of 16 years. Garry and Lois then moved to Long Beach, Calif., where Garry was stationed with the Navy.

Lois and Garry welcomed three children into the world: Timothy Martin Higgins, Kristie Lynn Higgins and Mark Wayne Higgins.

Lois and Garry lived in many places while in the military, such as Great Lakes Naval Base, Lemoore Naval Air Station and San Diego Naval Base.

Later in life, Lois and Garry settled in Rippey, where she became an active and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. After her and Garry’s retirement, Lois spent her time volunteering for different church drives and became a member of the Born an Angel of Iowa Organization. She sewed dresses and gowns for them and created lasting friendships.

Lois always allowed her faith to guide her and helped to spread God’s love with others.

Preceding Lois in death were her parents, Martin and Dorothy Hagedorn; her brother, Richard Hagedorn; and her brother-in-law, Woody Jenkins.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Garry Higgins, of Rippey; her sister, Rita (Hagedorn) Jenkins, of Grand Junction; her children: Timothy Higgins and his wife Carlene, of Washington; Kristie Higgins, of Shenandoah; and Mark Higgins and his wife Lois, of Coin; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; many friends and extended family.

Lois was a straightforward, very passionate, caring person who loved God and her family, and is best described as her favorite saying: “Get your butt in a pew!” She will be missed by many.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. The family will greet friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Burial will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah.

Memorials are suggested to Born an Angel and may be directed to the family.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be left at: sliningerschroeder.com

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