Patricia "Patti" Higgins

Patricia "Patti" Higgins, 70, of Schofield, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. She was born on November 2, 1954, in Merrill, WI, to the late Erick and Violet (Crass) Walbeck.

Patti graduated from Merrill High School, where she was an accomplished clarinetist and pianist, in 1972. She joined the United States Air Force where she excelled in Russian Language School in Monterrey, California. From there, she was stationed as a Russian Linguist in Misawa, Japan, where she met Thomas Jackson while riding dirt bikes, and they married soon after. The military took them to Hawaii; Virginia Beach; Maryland; London, England; and Pensacola, Florida. In addition to raising their children, Nathan and Jennifer, Patti owned Suncoast Reporting and enjoyed working as a successful and well-known court reporter in downtown Pensacola. Patti also earned a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and was extremely involved in her local dojo as both a student and an instructor. 

On October 4, 2003, Patti married the love of her life, Wesley Higgins, and they built a beautiful farm outside of Marathon where they raised cattle, hogs, and chickens, and experimented with innovative farming methods. They loved watching shows at the Guthrie Theater with family and friends, and going for long rides on their Harleys. Patti enjoyed being an involved grandma to her beloved grandchildren. She loved manicures and shopping with Grace; indulging Tyler’s love of fishing and winter sports; talking football and getting big hugs from Jackson; and attending Joy’s theater shows in Maryland. Patti loved thrifting and lunching during her “sister” dates with her baby sister, Pamela, and she was thrilled to share a sweet cat with her brother Erick. 

Patti was a selfless and loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, and daughter; and a fun and loyal friend. She will truly be missed by her family and friends because she made everyone in her life feel like the most important person on earth. Most importantly, Patti loved Jesus Christ and trusted in him from an early age. Her tremendous faith carried her through many trials and her legacy lives on through her family who seek to follow Jesus as she did.

Patti is survived by her children, Nathan (Janelle) Jackson, and Jennifer (Jeff) Higgins; stepchildren, Brett (Jeannie) Higgins and Travis (Jennifer)Higgins; grandchildren, Grace, Tyler, Jackson, and Joy; sister, Pamela (Bob) Guy; brother, Erick (Kay) Walbeck; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wesley Higgins; stepdaughter, Jodie Rose; and two sisters, Susan Walbeck, and Sandra (Eugene) First. 

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM, on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Brainard Funeral Home in Weston. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Military honors will follow services at the funeral home. Patty will be laid to rest at Northwoods National Veteran's Cemetery at a later date.