Lois Eileen (Hagedorn) Higgins, daughter of Martin Hagedorn and Dorothy (Lee) Hagedorn, was born July 18, 1947, at Shenandoah, and passed away August 29, 2021, at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
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 she and her older sister Rita would walk to Sunday school at the ages of 5 and 7. Her father would say, “If I didn’t know where Lois was, I need look no further than the church’s pews.”
Lois was united in marriage to Garry Wayne Higgins on August 8, 1963, at the Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE, at the ripe old age of 16 years. Garry and Lois then moved to Long Beach, CA, 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 the 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, IA, 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 Sept. 4, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. 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.
