Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Higgins, age 90 of De Pere, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 13, 1929 to the late John and Sarah (Finnel) Vissers in De Pere where she was raised and went on to raise her family. Betty attended St. Mary’s School in De Pere and was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Ledgeview. She married Ralph Liebergen on April 29, 1950, he preceded her in death on September 6, 1956. On April 4, 1964 she married Thomas J. Higgins, who then preceded her in death on August 23, 1989. Betty volunteered at church, sewing quilts for the St. Mary’s Quilt Group, she also volunteered over the years at Rennes Health Center and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed golfing and bowling, baking, sewing, knitting and crocheting, making beautiful afghans for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, which she played into her 90’s, and was a huge Packers fan. Grandma Higgy cherished her children and grandchildren; she was a devoted grandmother and great grandmother.
Survivors include her children; Nancy Higgins, Daniel (Carol) Higgins, Richard (Sharon) Higgins, Kathleen (Jeff) Hettmann and Thomas J. Higgins Jr., grandchildren; Erik (Kathryn Gapinski) Olson, Ian (Elizabeth) Olson, Alex Higgins, Kelsey Higgins, Brooke (James) Doerfler, Ashley Higgins, Lindsey (Dan) Unright and Nicole (Fiancé Adam Lemmens) Hettmann and great grandchildren; Josie and Vaughn Higgins, Olivia and Jameson Doerfler, Hadley and Evelyn “Jojo” Unright. Betty is further survived by her siblings; Mary Neugent, Kathy Jobelius, Lucille (Leonard) Walczyk and Jerome (Marion) Vissers, sisters and brothers in law; Claire Freuen, Lilah Holman, Lawrence (Hazel) Liebergen, Betty Ann Verheyen and Robert (Ethel) Liebergen.
Preceding her in death are her parents, husbands Ralph Liebergen and Thomas J. Higgins, Sr., grandson, Kevin Olson, brother James Vissers, brothers and sisters in law; John Neugent, Richard Jobelius, Francis (Ila) Higgins, Vernon Holman, Betty (Robert) Rupert, James Freuen, Ray Verheyen, Pearl Higgins, Marlyn Higgins and Earl Higgins.
Family and friends may call at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave, De Pere on Friday, June 14, 2019 from 3:00pm to 6:30pm, with a prayer service at 6:30pm. Visitation will begin again Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 9:00am until 10:45am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, De Pere, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am, with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Entombment will take place at Allouez Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Allouez. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Unity Hospice for their loving care of Betty.