Blythedale, MO: Mary Louise Higbee, 90, Blythedale, MO passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at her home.
She was born on October 25, 1930 two miles east and a half mile north of Liberty Center, Iowa the youngest daughter of John G. and Mollie C. (Amsberry) Higbee. The house burned when she was 18 months old and they moved to another house on the opposite end of 160 acres.
She graduated from Liberty Center Cosmetologist School and remained single and helped with the farming. Mary was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1946 and joined the Green Plain Methodist Church, attending faithfully. She later changed her membership to Mt. Pleasant Number 2 Baptist Church. In January, 1963 her father and Orion Higbee came to Bethany, MO to see the 180 acre farm sell at the courthouse door. It was known as the Canaday, three story house. John G., Nathalia I. and Mary L. purchased it with right of survivorship. In 1994, Ralph and Donna Rieck purchased it. Mary rented from them until December, 1997 at which time a friend and neighbor, Glenn Barth passed away. They had worked together since the fall 1974. She continued to live in the three story house.
Mary enjoyed crocheting and flower gardening in her spare time.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Guy Higbee; sisters, Nathalia Isabelle Higbee and Etha Berniece (Higbee) Rieck and a nephew, Donald Dean Rieck.
Mary is survived by her nephews, Daniel L. (Karen) Rieck and Ralph Rieck, Jr. (Donna); great nephews, Timothy (Karen) Rieck and Terry Rieck; great-great nieces and nephew, Adam, Alyssa, and Audrey; great-great-great niece, Nora; special friend, Rhonda (Vince) Grabill and other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18 at Roberson Funeral Home, Eagleville, MO. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in Plainville Cemetery, Milo, IA. The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Plainville Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Eagleville, MO 64442. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com