James L. “Jim” Higgins, 79 of Gurley, NE, lifelong Cheyenne County resident passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, at his farmhouse west of Gurley, NE. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Faith Methodist Church in Sidney, NE with Pastor Corey Jenkins officiating.  Burial will follow at the Grand Prairie Cemetery south of Sidney.  Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Tuesday, February 11th from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family. The family will be present from 4-6:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Gurley or Dalton Volunteer Fire Departments.

You may view Jim’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos, and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.  Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Jim’s care and funeral arrangements.

James Lee Higgins the son of Jesse Arthur and Myrtle Mae (Krewer) Higgins was born January 20, 1946, at the Taylor Hospital in Sidney, NE. He was raised on the Higgins Homestead, the first rural post office in Cheyenne County. His family was one of the pioneer families that settled west of Gurley. The area at that time was named Higgins, NE which was an overnight stop on the Sidney Deadwood stage. He attended Gurley Schools and was a proud Gurley Pirate whom played football and basketball. Jim was also an Eagle Scout and part of the Order of the Arrow with Scouting America.

He married the love of his life, Marlene Rapp on June 9, 1966. They made their home at the farms west of Gurley (Old Higgins Homestead). They had three children Robert, Angela, and Christina. He was so proud of his family. He was avidly involved with all their activities which included 4-H, athletics, and never missed a music activity. All of their children have become something to be proud of. His grandkids would light up his life, Grandpa or Papa Jim, always had wisecrack jokes and is the best gizzard getter ever, loved to see them giggle!

Jim was on the board of Crossroads Coop Elevator for several years, a deacon of the First Christian Church, 4-H leader, Farm Bureau Member and Gurley Lions Club Member. The Higgins Family was awarded the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award in 1986 which exemplified ownership within the family of the same Nebraska family farm for 100 years or more. He loved his neighbors; one of his favorite things to do was go to any kind of sale and visit with all his farmer friends. James was a wheat farmer, along with raising his cattle either feedlot or cow/calf operation. One of his greatest joys was pulling the combine into the wheat fields to begin the harvest as well as having afternoon snack breaks with the work crews. Jim worked not only as a farmer but also as a Crop Insurance Adjuster, for Security First Bank Insurance Company, and the Egging Company.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, one son Rob (Lianne) Higgins of Dalton NE; two daughters, Angie (Brooks) Rushman of Lincoln NE; and Chrissy (Vernon) Florke of Lodgepole, NE. He has seven Grandchildren, Katie (James) Goeman, Danielle (Cade) Loomis, Elizabeth Higgins, Jacob Rushman, Phillip Rushman, Luke Florke and Amelia Florke; nieces and nephews and cousins, and one sister.

He is preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, brother-in-law Keith Rapp.