Elizabeth (Betty) Theresa Higgins, 94, of Wessington Springs passed away Friday afternoon June 14, 2024 at the Weskota Manor Avera Nursing Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Thursday, June 20 from 5-7 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Rosary to follow. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Betty was surrounded by family members as she left this world, entering her eternal life.
Betty was one of five children born to Valentine Link and Mary Sprowl. She was born on June 11, 1930, in Aberdeen and shortly after her birth, she and her family moved to Huron.
After graduating from Huron High School, Betty began working as a waitress at Spargos Drive Inn. Shortly after she started at the drive inn, a 19-year-old, cigarsmoking customer named Jerry began daily visits to the drive inn for a dish of chocolate ice cream. Their relationship quickly flourished and on June 9, 1948, Betty Link and Jerry Higgins were united in marriage, lasting 73 years until Jerry’s passing.
The 73-year marriage of Betty and Jerry was blessed with seven children, 18 grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren.
Betty and Jerry started their life together in Huron, SD. After a few years, they moved their young family to Wessington Springs, SD, where Jerry and his older brother, Ray, opened a grocery store in June 1953. That first grocery store was the start of a 50-year presence for Betty and Jerry on Main Street, Wessington Springs, encompassing a furniture and carpet store that eventually also added hardware, then transitioning back to a grocery store again, and ending with the Variety Store.
In June 2003, Betty and Jerry retired after 50 years of working together. Over those 50 years, as the children grew and entered school, Betty transitioned from homemaker to working in their businesses. In addition to handling the bookkeeping, she enjoyed cleaning, organizing and creating attractive displays.
After retirement, Betty and Jerry spent time volunteering at the Springs Area Community Club (SACC) Consignment Store. Betty was also a lifetime member of the St. Joseph Altar Society.
She enjoyed time spent with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom anticipated Grandma’s chocolate cake and Special K bars during their visits. Betty also cherished spending time with her “special” Jerry.
Betty was preceded in death by her mother and father, all of her siblings and their spouses; her husband Jerry; her daughter Kathleen; one daughter-in-law, Tammy Higgins.
Betty is survived by her six children, Jerry (Maggie) Higgins of Wessington Springs, Terri (Mike) Mebius of Wessington Springs, Jean (Randy) Shultz of Wessington Springs, Tim (Lotus) Higgins of Arlington, SD, Steve (Toni) Higgins of Rapid City, SD, and Patti (Ed) Fiegen of Madison, SD; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Betty was a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who enjoyed a life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, the family will use memorial funds toward local foundations in Wessington Springs.
