Obituaries : Helen Higgins

Helen B. Higgins, 80, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, September 30, 2021 at her home surrounded by family.

Helen Belle (Waterbury) Higgins was born on Oct 26th, 1940 to Henry and Edna (Grimm) Waterbury.

Helen attended Manilla High School, when she graduated with the class of 1958. She was active in basketball and softball, rumor has it she was the "best" guard of her era. (ask Karlene (Mundt) Helbig)

After high school, Helen worked as a nurse's aide at Manning General Hospital under the supervision of her sister Aloha (Waterbury) Enenbach. In 1959, she moved to Council Bluffs, IA and worked as a typist at Mutual of Omaha, after that she was an assigned risk underwriter at National Indemnity Insurance Company, Omaha, NE. She also played softball in Omaha, competing for 17 years.

On January 28th, 1961, she married Bernie Higgins of Dow City, IA. To this union two daughters were born, Tami Higgins and Theresa Fabor of Belle Plaine, IA.

In June, 1976, they purchased a bar and restaurant in Carson, IA and became very active in the community. In 1977, her and Bernie started the Carson Community Rodeo and with the help of many in Carson and surrounding communities, volunteers and supporters, this rodeo is still active today.

In 1986, they moved back to Manilla, where they purchased the Manilla Bowl, enjoying the "back home" atmosphere until 1993 when they sold and purchased the Belle Plaine Bowl, Belle Plaine, Iowa. Selling in 2004, they enjoyed the life of "retirement" until her death on September 30, 2021 at the age of 80.

Helen loved her sports, especially the Iowa State Cyclones, Dallas Cowboys and of course the Chicago Cubs. Fishing was also her love, making several trips to Canada or anywhere else they were biting, with fish trophies on the wall to prove it. Her daughters as well as her 7 grandchildren, other family members and many friends also made the trip to experience the Canadian fishing fun.

Helen is survived by her husband Bernie, of 61 years; daughters, Theresa (Eric) Fabor and Tami Higgins of Belle Plaine, IA. Her beloved grandchildren, Brad O'Dell, Jessica (Ryan) Schellhorn, Jacob (Bridgette) Miller, Jana (Jessie) Stock, Paula O'Dell, Jacob Fabor and Josh Fabor. Her cherished great-grandchildren, Kylee and Trinity Miller, Jackson and Walker Schellhorn, Annabelle Stock and Abram Miller. Her "youngest and prettiest," sister Candace (Candy) Stobbe, Manilla, IA. Many 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation nieces and nephews and many more family and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Edna; 6 brothers, Sonny (Merle), Delane (Hans), Bill, Jack, Bob and Cliff, and 1 sister, Aloha Enenbach.

Service is 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine with visitation one hour prior to the service. Service will also be livestreamed through the funeral service Facebook page. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine. We also would ask everyone instead of flowers for monetary donations to the APG Foundation. This foundation is to assist cancer patients with the cost of chemotherapy and breast prosthesis. Grandma was a huge advocate for this foundation. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com