In Loving Memory
Patrick J. Higley

SERVICE
Thursday, October 6, 2022
1:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Pastor Russell Weller
Pastor David Kott

VISITATION
Thursday, October 6, 2022
2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

INURNMENT
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Following the visitation
Evergreen Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Patrick Joseph Thomas Higley, age 79 of Emmetsburg, passed away peacefully at home on Friday,
September 23rd , 2022. He was born September 18, 1943 in the Emmetsburg Hospital to John LeRoy
Higley and Anna Eileen (Fitzpatrick) Higley at 10:53am. 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, IA. 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 4th, 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, IA 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 October 6th, 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 the 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, IA, 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, IA. He was preceded in death by Rosemary and his parents.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home