Michele Ann Higley, 67, of Dubuque died Friday, December 13th, 2019 after a 16+ year battle with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 17th at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road from 3 to 7 pm followed by a parish wake service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am. Wednesday, December 18th at Resurrection Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Mt. Calvary mausoleum.
Michele was born August 7th, 1952 in Dubuque, IA. She was the daughter of Merlin “Bud” and Coletta “Coke” (McGrath) Schultz. She graduated from Wahlert High School in 1970 and University of Dubuque with a bachelors in biology and minor in chemistry.
On May 17th, 1980 she married Roger James Higley at the Church of the Nativity.
She worked in chemical and environmental engineering at John Deere Dubuque Works for 44 years, retiring in 2017. She was a member of an engineering society S.T.L.E while working at Deere’s.
She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection where she was a lector and choir member until she was unable to following a stroke in 2000. She was also a member of the St. Peregrine cancer prayer and support group for 18 years.
Michele enjoyed reading, traveling, trying new foods, seeing plays, and spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. In her earlier years, she enjoyed skiing, canoeing, and camping. She was also a Hawkeye and Packer fan.
She is survived by her husband, Roger Higley of Dubuque; two children, James Higley of Dubuque and Ann (Michael) Ungerman of Overland Park, Kansas; three grandchildren, Adeline, Jillian, and Calvin Ungerman; her mother, Coletta Schultz; a brother, Cory (Monica) Schultz of Davenport, Iowa and a sister, Mira (Matt) Kukla of Troy, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her father, Merlin Schultz and a brother, Colin Schultz.
Memorials may be made to Resurrection Church.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at Grand River Medical Group, Dr. Mark Hermann, Mr. Tony Heiar, ARNP, Laura, Sarah, Sara Jo, and Linda for the care they provided Michele over the last several years. We also would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their support.