A memorial service for Michael H. Higgins will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021, at the Henry Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, at the funeral home. Interment will occur at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter. Henry Olson Funeral Home in Estherville is assisting with the arrangements.

Michael Henry Higgins, son of Carl C. and Bonnie A. (Stapleton) Higgins, was born at Estherville on Aug. 4, 1948, and departed this life on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Spencer, at the age of 72 years.

Mike graduated from Estherville High School and attended Kirkwood Community College, receiving a degree in Water Management. He was in the U.S. Army from December of 1971 until March of 1977, serving in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Kaiserslautern, Germany and Fort Lewis, Wash. He was honorably discharged after attaining the rank of sergeant.

In December of 1967, Mike married Mary Ann Burg at the United Methodist Church in Estherville. They were blessed with two sons, Travis and Joe.

Mike was a farmer while also working in construction and driving truck. He worked for Christensen Larson Construction, Holiday Express, and retired from Hy-Line North America in 2019 after hauling millions of chicks.

Mike enjoyed gardening and was known for his giant pumpkins; traveling; woodworking, completing many side tables made from tree stumps from which he donated the proceeds to benefit veterans; wintering in Texas; time with his family, especially his grandchildren; and his 1954 Buick Century along with his 1960 John Deere 730 diesel tractor.

Mike was a member of the American Legion Post #288 in Hartley, which he and Mary had called home for more than 25 years.

Mike is remembered by his wife, Mary; son, Travis (Sharyl) and their children, Tyler and Trevor, of Ankeny; son, Joe (Sara Olson) and his children, Machanna, Kyla and Rory, of Kieler, Wis.; siblings: Mary Thelen, of Spirit Lake; Carla (Mike) Long, of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; Tish Scott, of Spirit Lake; Bill (Sue) Higgins, of Graettinger; Jerry (Linda) Higgins, of Custer, S.D.; Glenn (Pat) Higgins, of Naples, Fla.; and Shelly (Mark) Becker, of Newman, Ga.; brothers-in-law: Ronnie (Cathy) Burg, of Upland, Calif.; and Donnie (Joan) Burg, of McAllen, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Phil, Peter, Dale and Kenny; and sisters: Betty Janssen, Jean Planting, Lois Michelson and Kathy Dyrhkopp.

Mike's family suggests memorials to a VFW or American Legion of your choice or the Abben Cancer Center in Spencer.