Dorothy Francis Higgins

Dorothy Higgins passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at her home in Grand Island, NE. Having lived 96 years, she led a fulfilling life of love and contribution.



Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Reverend Bob Rhodes will officiate. Burial will be in the Westlawn Cemetery.



Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Apfel Funeral Home.



In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to St. Francis Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Goodwill Industries, the Central Nebraska Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.



Dorothy Frances Higgins was born July 22, 1917, at Boston, MA to George J. and Florence C. (Staples) Connell. She married Joseph M. Higgins on January 3, 1942 in Shreveport, LA. Dorothy moved thirteen times in her marriage of 56 years. She loved to be with her family, including her husband, two sisters, three daughters, and two nieces and nephews. Nanny was very loved by four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.



Dorothy graduated as a registered nurse in 1936 in Boston, MA, from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. She worked in several hospitals across the nation, and as an instructor of nursing for St. Francis Nursing School and for the Creighton University School of Nursing in Hastings. In Grand Island, she was also instrumental in starting and working in hospice, volunteering with the Red Cross, giving hospital tours, participating in Stevens Ministry, and teaching immigrant families to read English. Dorothy was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Naomi Church Circle, PEO, League of Womens Voters, International Visitors, and a book club. She was a Girl Scout leader and a parent to a foreign exchange student from Brazil through Rotary International in 1971-72. A life-long learner, Dorothy was a world traveler and a voracious reader. She was a generous, warm-hearted person with a ready smile and a delightful sense of humor. Dorothy will be missed by many.



Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Marilyn Lumpkin, and a sister Marjorie Haskins. Dorothy is survived by a younger sister Barbara Woodstra of Muscatine, IA; two daughters, Valerie Higgins of Estes Park, CO and Christina Settlemeyer of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren, Joshua and Michaela Settlemeyer of Austin, TX, and Bruce and Travis Benke of San Antonio, TX. She also leaves a loving a supportive staff at Riverside Lodge Retirement Community; and loving caregivers; Gayle Francl, Susan Sullivan, Sheila Kline, Jessica Ortegren, Kathy Kliewer, Cathleen Sherman, Rosa Alvarado, and Susan Williamson, and JoAnn Pickering.



Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com