Lorraine B. Higgins, 90, of Eau Claire, died on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at home, with family by her side. She was born in Taylors Falls, MN, on November 22, 1923, to Walter and Vova (Ringstrom) Benson. She graduated from North Branch High School. Afterward, she attended Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, MN and graduated as a registered nurse in September of 1945. On October 26, 1946, she married Carl Higgins, shortly after his return from military service. Lorraine and Carl lived and worked in the Twin Cities and Moorhead, MN before moving to Eau Claire in 1953. As a registered nurse, Lorraine worked evenings in Eau Claire area hospitals and the Mt. Washington Home so that she could be home with her young children during the day, while Carl worked to establish Higgins' Travel Service. Over the next 50 years, Lorraine and Carl enjoyed many trips together, sometimes escorting groups all over the world. Scandinavia, Germany, and Hawaii were among Lorraine's favorite destinations to visit. After she finished her nursing career, Lorraine spent time volunteering for various organizations such as driving for the FISH program, serving on various church committees, and volunteering as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She was also especially proud of the time she spent teaching home nursing for the American Red Cross. Lorraine and Carl spent the winter months of their retirement (1987 to 2010) in Peoria, AZ, volunteering for 11 of those years at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, AZ. Lorraine and Carl have been faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire since 1960. Lorraine was also a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter AF since 1969. One of Lorraine's special gifts was remembering her friends and family, never forgetting to send a card for a special occasion. She was preceded in death by her parents. Lorraine is survived by her husband of 67 years, Carl; children, Thomas (Julie Wissinger) Higgins of Marine on St. Croix, MN, Joan Higgins (Carl Herrmann) of Black River Falls, WI, and Joel (Lenore) Higgins of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Allison and Jessica Higgins, both of Minneapolis, MN; sister, Marjorie (Everett) Dryden of Cedar Rapids, IA; sisters-in-law, Arlene Higgins and Naurine McCormick. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd., Eau Claire with Pastor Kurt M. Jacobson officiating. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. The family would like to thank the staff of Heatherwood Assisted Living for all of their care and concern. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran Church Food Bank.
Service Information
Visitation
Tuesday, December 17 2013
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services
814 First Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54703
Visitation
Wednesday, December 18 2013
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church
1314 E. Lexington Blvd.
Eau Claire WI 54701
Funeral Service
Wednesday, December 18 2013
11:00 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church
1314 E. Lexington Blvd.
Eau Claire WI 54701
