Martha Mary (Raycher) Higgins was born in Richland, Pennsylvania on January 18, 1919 to Andrew and Martha (Mock) Raycher. Before she was three years of age they moved to Monarch, Wyoming, then to Story, Wyoming in the Spring of 1927. Times were tough and life was hard but good. Story was a town of between 200 to 300 people, gravel roads, no electricity, Model “T” Fords and a one-room school house. Martha’s memories centered around their grocery store, dance pavilion, water wheel to generate electricity, swimming pool, ice house, motorized ice saw to harvest ice from the swimming pool, hamburger business, soda fountain and numerous other things her father had built. At age 12 her mother died after a long illness. For High School and normal training Martha attended St Agnes Academy in Alliance Ne and graduated in 1936
In the Fall of 1936 Martha moved to the Sandhills of Nebraska and taught school at Eatingers and Brownlee for four years. During this time her good friends from high school, Lois Leta McGuire and Betty Higgins introduced her to Alfred Higgins.
Al and Martha were married on May 19, 1940 and resided on the Higgins Ranch where they raised their six children. Martha was a wonderful cook, but had once proclaimed that “I didn’t know how to boil water when I got married, but thank goodness Thelma taught me everything I needed to know about cooking!” Forty four years later Al & Martha moved into Valentine where she became active in St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, the Senior Center, Hospital Auxiliary, Garden Club and numerous bridge clubs.
Mrs. Higgins passed away on July 22, 2021 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alfred; brother John Raycher; grandson Jerry Panzer; and great grandson Ryan Higgins.
She is survived by her children: Maureen Panzer of Omaha, Tom (Lynn) of Valentine, Steve (Maria) of Lincoln, Dave (Lana) of Lincoln, Jerry (Donna) of Valentine, George (Ann) of Albuquerque NM; grandchildren: Jill (Jeb) Livingood, Jon (Jill) Panzer, Fr. Joel Panzer, Chris (PJ) Higgins, Mark (Kathy) Higgins, Jane Higgins, Paul (Jodie) Higgins, Brad (Jenny) Higgins, Debra (Casey) Stengel, Matthew, Nathen and Jeremy Higgins, Erin (Dave) Horn, Jenna (Chris) Keifer, Jake (Crystal) Higgins, Kathryn (Brad) Hisel, Jordon, Alex and Jack Higgins; 26 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren, nephew Brian Raycher and niece Patricia (Jerry) Kreitzer
After 102 years and 6 months, God must have decided her job was done and issued her rest and eternal reward. The classy lady with beauty and intelligence will be missed, but a piece of her heart lies within each of us.
Mass of Christian Burial for Martha Higgins, age 102, of Valentine, Nebraska will be held on Friday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Church. Visitation will be held on Thursday at 4:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine until time of Rosary.
Memorials made be made to the St. Nicholas Catholic Church's renovation fund.