Thomas Higgins

Funeral services for Thomas Higgins were held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE, with Father Bernard Starman officiating.

Carmen Schmitz was lector, Dave Schmitz was the eucharistic minister and Thomas’s grandchildren presented the gifts.

Music was provided by Bonnie Krysl, vocalist, accompanied by Steve Swanson.

Casket bearers were Chuck Davis, Jim Chvala, Brian Gengler, Brad Carley, Bryon Vogt and Joe Higgins.

Honorary casket bearers were Neil Helenbolt, Garry Lockmon, Karl Connell, Doug Schmitz, Jack Engelhaupt, Bob Nickos, Dillon Higgins, Thomas Higgins, Rich Kinney and Garry Hoyt.

Interment was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Glenn Higgins was born March 4, 1946, to Thomas and Josephine (Timmerman) Higgins in Stuart, NE.

Thomas attended country school growing up until he went to Springview School his freshman year where he graduated from there in 1964. He then went to college for two years for chemistry. Meanwhile he worked at Samsonite Luggage.

In 1965, Thomas married Margo Lynn Kern and they started a family at the home of the Higgins Ranch. Born to this union were Shaun Higgins and Jory Higgins. He was proud of his cattle and work of the Higgins Ranch.

Thomas was a director of the NRD board for 30 years. He was just presented an appreciation clock for his 30 years of service as lower Niobrara NRD director. Thomas was also on the Nebraska Operation Game Thief Board.

He enjoyed taking in hunters on the Higgins Ranch where they traveled in from Alaska to the east coast to come hunt on his land. Tommy enjoyed loading up Teddy bear their Corgi to take trips on the gator around the ranch.

The last four years Thomas and Debbie spent winters as snowbirds in California.

He passed away after a battle with cancer, on March 6, 2021, in the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Atkinson, NE. Thomas had just celebrated his 75th birthday.

He was survived by his wife, Debbie of Atkinson, NE; sons, Shaun Higgins of Naper, NE; Jory (Tammy) Higgins of Gothenburg, NE; grandchildren, Thomas Higgins, Dillon Higgins, Taylor Higgins, Annie Bassett, Abbigayle Bassett, and Andrea Bassett.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Josephine Higgins; sister, Hazel Determan; brother-in-law Raymond Determan.