Thomas E. Higgins, 74, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2017, at St. Marks Lutheran Home, surrounded by his loving family.

Thomas was born on Aug. 24, 1942, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Robert T. and Maxine M. (Runden) Higgins. He attended Austin public schools, graduating with the class of 1960. After graduating from high school he served in the U.S. Army for three years, receiving his lineman training. Upon returning to Austin, he finished his electrical apprenticeship. He married his wife of 45 years, Patricia A. (Smith) Higgins, in Austin on June 11, 1971, and they resided south of Austin for most of their married life. Thomas’ favorite escape was his cabin on Stony Lake in Hackensack, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, swimming, water skiing and tubing with his family. He especially loved the time spent with his grandchildren at the fishing contests. In his spare time Thomas enjoyed gardening, bee keeping, splitting wood, making syrup and wine, and toys for his grandchildren. Over the years, he worked for several contractors and was an electrical inspector for many years. He was a 50-year member of IBEW Local 343. He served on many union committees over the years, and was a proud union member. After retirement, he served on the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative board for 10 years. He was a member of the Aerie 703 Eagles Club in Austin, and American Legion Club in Hackensack, Minnesota, and actively participated in the Mower County DFL.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; mother, Maxine Higgins of Austin; children, Kristen Kiecker of Lake City, Minnesota, Kelly (Craig) Olsen of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Gina Higgins (Timothy Nelson) of Moorhead, Minnesota, Angela Higgins of Austin, and Scott (Jill) Higgins of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren, Shea Kiecker, Duel Higgins, Cassondra Nelson, Tayte Kiecker, Duncan Higgins, Matthew Nelson, Amanda Nelson, Asia Higgins-Lewis, Christian Olsen, Thomas W. Higgins; one great-granddaughter, Kashlyn; sister, Carol (Steve) Olson of Wesley, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Sandy) Smith of Lake City, Kenneth (Merri Lea) Smith of Lake City, and Christopher (Sherri) Smith of Woodbury, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Higgins; father and mother-in-law, Orville and Margaret (Bigelow) Smith; and brother-in- law, Eugene Smith.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 24, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Rev. Mark Niethammer. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, and one hour before services. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. Casket bearers will be Shea Kiecker, Duel Higgins, Cassondra Nelson, Tayte Kiecker, Duncan Higgins, and Matthew Nelson. Honorary casket bearers will be Amanda Nelson, Asia Higgins-Lewis, Christian Olsen, and Thomas W. Higgins.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Wounded Soldiers, any veteran’s hospital, or the Mower County Humane Society.