Helen L. Higgins

  Helen L., daughter of William and Helen (Brightwell) Leiting, was born September 19, 1931, in Arcadia, Iowa. She grew up at Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School. During school, she was active in cheerleading and basketball. After graduation, Helen worked at Eller Brock in Carroll and JC Penney in Boone.

  On October 27, 1955, Helen was united in marriage with Thomas Alfred Higgins at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. Three children were born to this union. The family made their home in Vail. Besides raising her children, Helen worked as the school cook at Ar-We-Va Elementary School in Vail.

   Helen was an active member of St. Ann’s Church, and the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Vail Community Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. Helen was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed playing cards, bowling, dancing, and socializing with the Birthday Club. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and attending their activities.

   In November of 2018, Helen became a resident of Accura Healthcare of Carroll, where she passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. She was 88 years, 5 months and 6 days of age.

   Helen was preceded in death by her parents: William and Helen Leiting; husband Thomas Higgins; four infant children; two brothers Melvin (Marilyn) Leiting and Floyd Leiting.

    She is survived by three children: Mike Higgins and friend Stephanie Flannery of Sioux City; Bill Higgins and wife Sheila of Arcadia; Kathy Kraus and husband Brian of Arcadia; seven grandchildren: Cody (Kaitlin) Higgins, Shawn (Ellie) Higgins, Taylor Higgins and friend Cassie Ahrens, Tanner Higgins, Jacob (Kim) Kraus, Zachary Kraus and friend Cassidy Branning, and Hannah Kraus; five great-grandchildren: Ariana, Freya, Emery, Avery and Nora; a sister Connie (Paul) Nieland of Lake View; a sister-in-law Helen Leiting of Arcadia; and by several nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, February 28, 2020     10:30 AM

St. Ann's Catholic Church, Vail, Iowa

Celebrant

Reverend Randy Schon

Mass Servers

Amber Ragaller & Cody VonGlan

Lector

Linda Greve

Gift Bearers

Ellie Higgins     Cassie Ahrens     Kim Kraus

Kaitlin Higgins     Cassidy Branning

Eucharistic Ministers

Mark and Betty Schwery

Music

“Be Not Afraid”    “Ave Maria”

“On Eagle’s Wings”   “Wild Irish Rose”

Irene Feilmeier, Organist

Casket Bearers

Cody Higgins     Shawn Higgins     Jacob Kraus

Zachary Kraus     Tanner Higgins    Taylor Higgins     Hannah Kraus

Honorary Casket Bearers

Ariana Higgins     Freya Higgins     Emery Higgins

Avery Higgins     Nora Kraus

Interment

St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Vail, Iowa