Ethel 'Elaine' Higley

Ethel 'Elaine' Higley, age 92 of Cozad, passed away February 9, 2017 at Cozad Care Center. Elaine was born January 16, 1925 at Cozad, Nebraska to John and Virginia (Watt) Marshall. She graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1942. Elaine went on to attend Kearney State Teaching College. When Elaine turned 18 she left for Omaha, to help build planes during World War II at the Glenn L. Martin Bomber Plant. She was an original “Rosie the Riveter” and did many different jobs at the plant. She met her future husband during a carpool to work. On June 3, 1944, she married Clarence 'Red' Higley at Omaha. The couple settled in Cozad in 1945. Elaine worked in the cafeteria at Cozad City Schools for many years and at the Cozad Hospital until her retirement. She was a faithful and devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cozad and past member of the Rebekah Lodge and L.E.A. Elaine had a soft spot for the neighborhood cats, and would feed and take care of them. She was a kind and caring person and will be missed by all who knew her. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Richard; husband; daughter, Barbara McLaughlin; daughter-in-law, Sheila; brother, Raymond Marshall and infant grandchild and great grandchildren. Survivors include her sons, Stewart Higley of Cozad, Ronald Higley of San Diego, CA and Alan (Robin) Higley of Omaha; 10 grandchildren, Todd (Mandi) Higley of Folsom, CA; Cameron (Lauren) Higley, San Ramon, CA; Amanda Higley, Snoqualmie, WA; Ginny (Kelli Duvall) Higley, Snoqualmie, WA; Janet (Ben) Reade, San Diego, CA; Matthew McLaughlin, Omaha, NE; Mark (Meredith) McLaughlin, Kearney, NE; Katie McLaughlin, Omaha, NE; Jared (Kendra) Higley, Panora, IA and Jordan (Caleb) Wittenburg, Lincoln, NE; and 8 great grandchildren, Davis and Olivia Higley, San Ramon, CA; Audrey Duvall, Snoqualmie, WA; Dallas Reade, San Diego, CA; Brooks and Harris McLaughlin, Kearney, NE; and Judah and Ezekiel “Zeke” Wittenburg, Lincoln, NE. A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Services will be held Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jill Boyd officiating. Burial will follow at the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday February 23, 2017 from 1 to 8 with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 7:30 at Berryman Funeral Home.