12 January 2000

Irene LaVon Higel was born to Roscoe Sims and Eva Wilkenson Sims on Feb.25, 1910, at Alexandria. She passed away Jan. 2, 2000, at Heritage of Geneva, at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 8days. She was one of three children in the family.

She grew up in the Alexandria area, attending schools in Thayer County. She then attended Carleton High School, where she met her husband, Clarence in 1925. They were married on Aug.24, 1931, at the Methodist Parsonage in Clay Center. No children were born to this marriage. Following their marriage they farmed in the Ohiowa and Chelsea area until 1969, when they had a farm sale and one year later moved to 339 North 9th Street in Geneva. Clarence passed away in 1979 and LaVon continued to live at her home until January of 1998, when poor health resulted in her moving to Heritage.

LaVon was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ohiowa since 1938. She and her husband, Clarence, were very active members for many years.

She loved cooking, embroidery work and taking care of her flower garden. She was also a typical farm wife, milking cows and feeding the livestock. For entertainment she and Clarence enjoyed going to the dances in the area, and she especially liked the polkas and waltzes. Much of their free time was spent playing cards with the neighbors with pinochle and pitch the predominate games. She was well known in the area for her recipe of "tiger meat, a combination of raw hamburger mixed with seasonings. She often would make this for many people for parties.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Eva; by her husband, Clarence; and sisters, Nellie Mae Higel and Aileen Dillion of Phoenix, Ariz.

She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Birdeen Garland of Tucson, Ariz. and Pearl TePoel of Cottonwood, Ariz.; and by nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were conducted from St. John's Lutheran Church in Ohiowa on Wednesday, Jan. 5,2000, with Maynard Kellerman, P.M.A, officiating. Nancy Cradduck accompanied Gaylord Cradduck who sang "How Great Thou Art."

Casket bearers were David Fangmeier, Robert Folkerts, Mark Folkerts, Paul Folkerts, Wayne

Luebbe and Vaughn Hinrichs.

Interment was in the Ohiowa Cemetery with the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are directed to St. John's Lutheran Church in Ohiowa.

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The family of LaVon Higel would like to thank family and friends for the flowers, cards, food and acts of kindness shown us at the time of her passing. A special thanks to St. John's Lutheran Church, Heritage of Geneva and Dr. Ashby.

THE LaVON HIGEL FAMILY