Obituary of Arlene Genevieve Higgins (Sorenson)

Arlene Genevieve Higgins (Sorenson) Age 98 of Roseville passed away on May 2nd, 2022 She was born on March 19, 1924 in Lancaster, MN to Rev. J.B. and Ethelyn Sorenson. She lived in Northern MN until 1938 when her parents were killed in a car accident. Arlene and her four siblings moved to St. Peter, MN where two older brothers were attending Gustavus. She attended high school in St. Peter and graduated from Gustavus in 1946. She delayed starting her senior year of college for several months as she and a friend went to CA to aid in the war effort working on P51 Mustang airplanes as “Rosie the Riveters”. After graduating from Gustavus she spent the next 40 years teaching secondary education in Askov, North Branch, Windom, W. St. Paul, and Bloomington, MN. In 1952, she married John Higgins from North Branch and was happily married for 34 years until his passing in 1986. Arlene loved to travel and was able to visit 35 countries and all 50 states. She was active in all aspects of her church. In retirement she enjoyed reading and spending time at her beloved Roy Lake Cabin. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sylvia and brothers, Maynard, Hilding, and Erwin and John’s family. She is survived by her daughters Barb, Cindy (Paul Draheim), Ruth (Doug) Gruver and two grandchildren Brent (Megan) Gruver and Andrea Gruver, special ‘Chosen Daughter’ Jie Zhu and her beloved book club. Her life will be celebrated at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN on Saturday, May 14. Visitation will take place from 9-10:30AM followed by a 10:30AM service and luncheon at the church. She will be inurned privately alongside her husband at Spring Lake Lutheran Cemetery near North Branch, MN. Memorials preferred to Gustavus Adolphus Church.