Madge Lena Higgins, 97, of Kansas City, KS, died Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Brookdale at Rosehill, Shawnee, Kansas. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at Armourdale Baptist Church, with Funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Madge was born January 7, 1927, in Hartwell, MO, to Harry O. and Ollie E. (Orfield) Winkler. In 1941, at the age of 14, she moved to Kansas City alone, found an apartment and worked at a meat packing plant. She married Orva Higgins in 1946. They resided in Kansas City, Kansas, where she was a gifted homemaker, wife, and mother, and was known for her skills at gardening, canning the bounty of her gardens, quilting, crocheting and sewing. In her later years she loved solving puzzles.
Prior to becoming a library assistant for the Kansas City, Kansas school district, Madge held various positions at W.T. Grant, Katz Drugs, and Sifers Candy. She retired after working for the Kansas City, Kansas school district for 38 years. After retirement she continued to volunteer until the time of COVID.
Madge, a member of Armourdale Baptist Church since 1948, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Weekday Church School and was involved in other evangelistic outreaches.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orva E. Higgins, in 2006; brothers Virgil, Bill, and Harry; and sister Florence Meads. Madge is survived by her daughter, Linda Millholland and husband Frank; sons Ronnie Higgins and wife Leanna; Bill Higgins and wife Karla; ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; half-brother Jimmy Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews.
In Lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Armourdale Baptist Church, 700 S. Mill Street, Kansas City, KS 66105.