Robert Higgins

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 13, 2008

Robert Thomas Higgins, 94, of Austin, died Friday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2008, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.
He was born May 23, 1914, in Albert Lea the son of Joseph James and Anna Marie (Schenhfen) Higgins. He was baptized on May 31, 1914, at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. He attended school in Albert Lea at St. Theodore Catholic School.
In April of 1938, Robert met Maxine Runden, they were engaged on Christmas Day 1939, and were united in marriage on July 13, 1940, in Northwood, Iowa. After his marriage, Robert worked for Gene Hanf bartending and working the Saturday night dances. In 1943, he began working for Wes Hanf in the Comphy Bar in Mankato, as well as working in Austin repairing pin ball machines, phonographs and slot machines.
Robert served in the United States Army from Dec. 11, 1943, until his discharge on May 3, 1946. He served with the 611th Field Artillery attaining the rank of Private First Class. After his discharge, Robert returned to his job at the Geo A. Hormel Plant in Austin where he worked until his retirement in 1976.
The family took yearly fishing trips up north and traveled to all 50 states as well as Robert and Maxine traveling to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Robert enjoyed gardening and always had a large garden until 2001. He was a member of the Golden Age Club, Hormel Retirees and the Hormel Men’s Breakfast Group.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Higgins of Austin; two children, Thomas (Pat) Higgins of Austin and Carol Ann (Steve) Olson of Wesley, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kristen Kiecker, Kelly Higgins, Michelle Peterson, Gina Nelson Higgins, Angela Higgins, Shannon Petievick and Scott Higgins; fourteen great grandchildren; one brother, Bernard (Virginia) Higgins of Albert Lea; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Leo, Edward and Leonard. 
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Barnett, officiating. Interment is at Grandview Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, and at the church one hour prior to the service.