Martina Higgins Obituary

Martina M. Higgins, age 88, of Chicago, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. She was born on January 31, 1937, in Spring Grove to Aloysius and Marie (Pich) Kattner. Born and raised in Spring Grove, Martina was a graduate of Richmond Burton High School. On May 31, 1974, she married Patrick G. Higgins in Chicago.
Martina was employed for 20 years as a clerk for the Milwaukee Railroad. She was an avid gardener, May till October she would be outside tending her flowers. She had a knack for finding a discarded pot of flowers and bringing them back to life. Martina used her garden as her peace. In additional she was quite handy in the home, "MacGyver like". She stripped all the wood in their bungalow in Chicago, as well as all tables big and small reglued and refinished them. She always had a vision on how to "fix" something and she would figure a way to get it done using spare parts that were around. Martina was a self-taught crocheter, she would make big and small projects. She crocheted baptismal outfits for her grandchildren, and many babies received the crocheted Santa hat and bib or crocheted holiday ornaments. She did some embroidery as well. She loved doing the large wall pictures or adding embellishments to dish towels. Lastly. She loved a good bargain at the thrift store. A she tried to pass onto her grandkids that it doesn't need to be full price to be good. She would take them with on a Junking excursion and let them explore the thrift store and pick out a "treasure", it was a highlight for both.
Martina is survived by her children, Margaret M. (Thomas) Boettjer, Michael J. (Kimberly) Higgins; grandchildren, Zachary and Samantha Boettjer, Patrick, Katelin and Edward Higgins; sister, Dorothy Stutzke, cousin, Gene Kattner; and nieces and nephews, Walt, Judy, Chrissy, Larry, Keith, and Liz.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Patrick G. Higgins; brother, Henry; cousins, Rich and Ed Kattner; and nephews, Kevin and Bill.
A gathering of friends and family will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. Mass celebrated at Queen of Apostles Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago.
Inurnment will be Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 2118 Main Street, Spring Grove, IL. Everyone is welcome to join the family at 2 p.m. for graveside prayers.
Memorial donations in Martina's name can be directed to Queen of Apostles Lyman fund https://www.givecentral.org/customizable-online-giving/182/event/2535 or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Spring Grove Funeral Home. For additional information please call the funeral home at 815-675-0550 or visit our website at www/ThompsonSpringGrove.com
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