Patrick Joseph Thomas Higley, age 79 of Emmetsburg, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
He was born Sept. 18, 1943 in the Emmetsburg Hospital to John LeRoy Higley and Anna Eileen (Fitzpatrick) Higley at 10:53 a.m. Sadly, he lost both his parents when he was young. At age three when his mother became ill, his 83-year-old maternal grandmother, Anna Fitzpatrick, promised to take care of him and his sister in conjunction with one of his uncles.
Patrick attended the Emmetsburg Catholic School through 8th grade and then attended the Emmetsburg High School until he was age 17. Prior to graduation, he talked his uncle into signing the enlistment documents to join the Army where he later earned his GED. In the Army, he became a Communication Specialist with emphasis in teletype and cryptography becoming proficient in breaking five letter codes. He served in France for three years during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged May 6, 1964 and returned to Emmetsburg after attending the World’s Fair in New York and touring Washington DC. It was at that time he met Rosemary Arlene Potee formerly of Ayrshire.
Patrick started working as an Assistant County Engineer Trainee for Palo Alto County. In his pursuit of Rosemary, Pat next worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, CA for two years in Coin and Account Verification. He later moved to Omaha where he married Rosemary on May 4, 1968 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He worked at Stauffer Chemical in production, receiving, and shipping. After a few dangerous incidents, Pat decided he wanted a change.
In 1969 he applied and trained to become both a fireman and a policeman. He decided to work for the Sheriff’s Department as a reserve officer in the jail and then became a Douglas County Deputy Sheriff for seven years. He served as a K-9 officer with a German Shepherd named Duke who lived in their home. He had many harrowing stories to tell of that time.
Sherre was born in 1969, Troy in 1971, and Vinny in 1974. Patrick and Rosemary were also foster parents for nine children. In 1976, they moved to Emmetsburg where they farmed and managed their rental properties. Pat worked at the Emmetsburg Police Department when they needed someone to fill a shift. He ran for Sheriff in 1980. He also worked seven years as the bailiff in the Palo Alto County Courthouse. He and Rosemary ran an upholstery business opposite fieldwork for several years. After retiring from farming, they moved to town in 2002 and continued publishing their popular Court House Report and the Numerical Phonebook. Rosemary passed away on Oct. 6, 2012 after 44 years of marriage.
Pat loved photography and was always snapping pictures. He was a certified member of the American Association of Forensic Photographers. Once he and Rosemary baked 300 cinnamon rolls to mail to Vinny in Basic Training. They also drove Troy’s Mustang to Ft. Bliss in Texas so he would have his car. Pat was always there when his kids had a project. Even though he was not fond of heights, many pictures show him working on his kids’ roofs and scaffolding. He was a true “jack of all trades.” He was willing to try to fix things: plumbing, electric, carpeting, painting, and mechanic work. He attended his grandkids’ baseball, softball, show choir, dance, football, graduation, taekwondo, cheer, basketball, soccer, cross country, choir, concert, and church events.
He loved anything related to law enforcement. That meant he heard of his kids’ speeding tickets before they did on his police scanner and he would underline and highlight those speeding tickets in his Court House Report. He enjoyed serving others, food, and riding the Harley he purchased at age 70.
He is survived by his children: Sherre Johnson CPA (Brian) of Pocahontas, Dr. Troy Higley (Tracy) of Zumbrota, MN, and Drs. Vincent Higley (Tracy) of Nebraska City, NE; grandchildren: Bailey, Chenney, Hattie, Kinzie, Asher, & Lincoln Johnson and Sydney & William Higley and Derrick & Dana George; great granddaughter Nadia George; his sister: Catherine Ann (Higley) Goche (Bruce, deceased) of Kansas City, MO; he was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends, namely Sharon Goff of Graettinger. He was preceded in death by Rosemary and his parents.
Patrick’s Celebration of Life will be Thursday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m, visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg, Pastor Russell Weller and Pastor David Kott officiating. Inurnment at Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg will follow the visitation with Martin-Mattice Funeral Home handling all the arrangements.
Condolences can be left at
www.martinmattice
funeralhome.com
