Allgood, Kimberly Ann

Kimberly Ann Allgood, 52, of Mason City, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family. She is now rejoicing with her Savior in heaven, following a 13-year battle with breast cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 440 N. Illinois Ave., Mason City, with Pastors Scott Davis and Nick Daugherty officiating. Interment will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for the establishment of a scholarship fund at Mason City High School in Kim's name for students pursuing a career in health care or for The Mercy Center for Breast Health. Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Kimberly Ann was born Oct. 25, 1960, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Ronald and Loretta (Hoffman) Higham. She attended and graduated from Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. After high school, she attended Iowa State University for pre-nursing, then went on to the University of Iowa where she earned a BSN. She was married to Steven C. Allgood, the love of her life, on June 8, 1985, in Burlington, Iowa. To this union, three children were born: Rachel, Samantha and Eli. She worked a variety of nursing positions before leaving nursing to stay home with her kids, to pour into their lives with love and to raise them as ambassadors for Christ.

She was a member of P. E. O chapter IY and Grace Evangelical Free Church. In both settings she enjoyed fellowship with women, meeting for lunches, time with prayer partners, weekly Bible studies and activities at church. She delighted in spending time with her husband and children, reading the Bible, going on walks, preparing meals for her family and gardening.

Her life was lived out of devotion to others and to Jesus Christ, above all else. Her gentle demeanor, selfless attitude and sweet spirit blessed all who knew her. She has often been referred to as an “angel” by friends and strangers. She reached out to others with a listening ear and a tender open heart, encouraging those in her path from day to day. She embodied the phrase “quick to listen and slow to speak,” and always took time to say “thank you” in a way that never lacked sincerity.

For Kim, living and loving could not be separated from each other. She was God's gift to all while here and memories of her will be cherished forever along with the beautiful life lessons she taught and the inspiration that she still gives to love as God first loved us, without exception and without question. As a tribute, her family plans to further global mission efforts in her honor.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Steven Allgood of Mason City; children, Rachel, Samantha and Eli; father, Ronald Higham of Cedar Rapids; mother, Loretta Higham of Cedar Rapids; brother, Bradley Higham of Cedar Rapids; and sister, Victoria Higham of Cedar Rapids; along with many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Carrie Higham.

Arrangements: Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401; (641) 423-0924; www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 31, 2012.