Beverly Higbe

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** Please note updated information about Beverly's service schedule

Beverly Ann Higbe, age 92 of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

Beverly Ann Higbe was born November 14, 1927 on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota to Carl and Francis (Peterson) State.  For several years they lived in the Highwood Park area where she attended Taylor School until the 5th grade.  She remembered learning to ride bike in 1935 on a small dirt road that later became Highway 61.  Due to the construction of that road her father’s filling station was removed and the family moved into St. Paul where he built his new business on the corner of 7th Street and Randolph.  Beverly was married to Arthur Duce and lived in Idaho for a brief time until Arthur completed his military service with the US Army.  They were blessed with four children, Allen, Cheryl, Jeff and Michelle.  During those years, Beverly also worked as a linotype operator at West Publishing for 14 years until Arthur died unexpectedly.  She stayed active with the children’s activities over the next few years.  She was later married to John Higbe and they were also blessed with a son, Jim.  Beverly worked for 3M as a proofreader until her retirement at the age of 62.  She and John spent the winter months in Florida and enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and still remained in contact with them.  Beverly was a wonderful mother and grandmother who made a lasting impact on the lives that she touched.

She is preceded in death by her husbands Arthur Duce and John Higbe; parents Carl and Francis State; sisters Jean and Joan; brother Douglas; infant son Loren Duce and step-daughter Julie Williamson.  She is survived by her children Allen (Sharyn) Duce, Cheryl (Marlyn) Engh, Jeffrey (Rebekah) Duce, Michelle Duce and James (Jane) Higbe; step-sons Robin and Kevin Higbe and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Sandy Smith and brothers Jack and Calvin State.

Memorial service will be 1:00 pm, Friday, September 11, 2020 at Crossroads Church, 7955 Ivystone Avenue S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior to the service.  A private family interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Mahtomedi is planned.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Champ Foundation or Health East Hospice . Masks will be REQUIRED at the service.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings while abiding to a 50% capacity at the facility. The use of face masks by attendees is required at indoor events, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep your families safe. Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available on the obituary portion on our website. We also encourage you to view the video tribute once it becomes available or complete the HeartStrings online sympathy page with the link above.