Higgins, Lois L. Lutz

Lois L. Lutz Higgins, 86, of Elgin, S.C., formerly of Marion, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at Southwinds Assisted Living Facility in Lugoff, S.C., after a lingering illness. As per Lois's wishes, there will be no funeral service or visitation. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, is assisting with arrangements.

Lois Louis Lutz was born Aug. 4, 1925, in Marengo, the daughter of George and Emma Lutz of Marion. She graduated from Marion High School in 1943. She was confirmed in 1937 and she married Edward L. Higgins on June 22, 1947, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion. In 1950, they moved to Monterey Park, Calif., where Ed was employed with the Environmental Protection Agency. They were then transferred to Milford, Ohio, in 1970 and later to Elgin, S.C. Lois entered nurses training at the University of South Carolina, where she received her R.N. degree on May 17, 1980. She was employed at the Baptist Hospital in Columbia, S.C., until her retirement.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Read of Marion; brother-in-law, Francis M. (Betty) Higgins of Cedar Rapids; three nieces, Nancy Hutchings of Las Vegas, Nev., Pat (Gordon) Tracey of Fort Myers, Fla., and Heidi (Tim) Hemmis of Cedar Rapids; two nephews, Edward Read of Marion and Grant Higgins of Cedar Rapids; and great-nephew, Michael Hutchings of Las Vegas, Nev.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed; and brothers-in-law, Warren E. Read and John F. Higgins and wife Dorothy.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to director Anna Owens, and staff at Southwinds Assisted Living Facility and to her dear friends, Wendy and Paul Watson for their love and care of Lois over the years. Also a sincere thank you to Mr. Charles Baxley for all the help and guidance he has provided to Lois and her family.

Published Sept. 4, 2011, in The Gazette