Judith Ann Higgins

Judith Ann Higgins, 78 of Elkhart, IN and Salix, IA passed away peacefully at her home in Elkhart on Wednesday July 26, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born on October 6, 1944, in Swea City, IA to Milford and Verna (Peitersen) Sampson.  She married her one true love, Dale Gene Higgins on June 9, 1962, in Estherville, IA.

Judy graduated from Estherville High School, Class of 1962. She worked as a bookkeeper for Golden Sun, selling carpet, vacuums and sewing machines for Sears & Roebuck in Estherville.  She was a bank teller in Dunnell, MN until they moved to Sioux City, IA where they owned and operated Higgins IGA grocery stores. Judy retired in 2009 from Kohl’s Department Store in Goshen, IN.

There was never a dull moment for Judy, she enjoyed visiting and entertaining family and friends on the weekends. She loved to decorate her home, was very creative, crafty, and loved to sew and knit.  Judy loved dogs and spoiled Benji, Romeo and Abby. She was an avid shopper and loved to travel. She had a good sense of humor and a big heart. Her door and home were always open to anyone in need. She always found time for the finer things in life like Revlon Apricot Fantasy lipstick, Diet Coke, Hershey Kisses, Certs and Nabisco Pinwheel cookies, (which her and Dale always disagreed about because he worked for Flavorkist Cookies).  She always knew how to get what she wanted and had patience waiting for it. But most of all she adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all her heart.

Judy is survived by her children Kari (Bill) Moffitt-Herring of Bristol, IN, Cindy Henry of Elkhart, IN, Christopher (Jennifer) Higgins of Elkhart, IN and Heidi (Derek) Stanfield of Salix, IA. Grandchildren Dustin (Laken) Higgins, Kyle Moffitt, Jesse (Katie) Moffitt, Billy (Sara) Herring, Samantha Herring, Elijah Herring, Zachary Higgins, Chase Henry, Cody (Val) Higgins, Cassidy (Logan) Miller, Colby Stanfield, Kalie Stanfield; great-grandchildren Emma, Keegan, Brayden, Kamren, Anthony, Kynslee, Dani, Blakely, Kash, Phenix, Griffin, Brynnlee, Audra, Baby Miller on the way; son-in-law Dennis Henry; sisters JoAnn Williams of Graettinger, IA and Jean (Bob) Grems of Estherville, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews. Judy was preceded in death by her parents Milford and Verna Sampson, her husband Dale Higgins, bothers David Sampson and Steve Sampson and her son-in-law Tony Moffitt.

Our Mother

You can only have one Mother, patient kind and true; no other friend in all the world will be the same to you

When other friends forsake you, to Mother you will return, for all her loving kindness she asks nothing in return

In keeping with Judy’s wishes a Celebration of Life will be held:

Sunday August 6, 2023 at Wedgewood Event Center, 131 Orpha Drive Middlebury, IN  2pm-5pm

Saturday August 19,2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1215 N. 15th Street Estherville, IA 11am-2pm with graveside service at Eastside Cemetery 2:30pm