Daniel Higdon
November 11, 2007
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Service Details
Daniel H. Higdon
Urbandale, Iowa
Daniel H. Higdon, 65, died Sunday, November 11, 2007 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Dan was born to Glen and Bernetta Higdon on November 3, 1942.
Dan graduated from East High School in Des Moines, Iowa and received his Bachelor’s degree at Drake University and then later went on to Northwest Missouri State University to receive his Master’s degree.
Dan’s career began with 20 years of teaching and coaching boys basketball and boys track. Those were the most special and memorable years of his career. The next 15 years were spent in the business world. Dan sold and was a financial planner with the Principal Financial Group receiving several awards for his hard work. Dan then became a training consultant for the corporate office of Principal. Before retirement, Dan continued to consult privately with a variety of businesses, the most recent work being with displaced employees of the Maytag Corporation in Newton where he used his teaching and coaching skills once again.
Dan is survived by his wife and partner, Marlene; his daughters Lisa (Joe) Strnad of Ankeny and Cindy (Mark) Miller of Osceola, and his grandchildren Riley, Drake and Macie Strnad. Dan is also survived by his sister Donna Meeks of Cedar Rapids, step-daughter Melissa (Steve) Seybert of West Des Moines and step-granddaughters Emma and Luci. Dan also leaves numerous friends, including “The Boys” to honor his memory. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Glen and Bernetta.
To celebrate Dan’s life, there will be a visitation at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the family will be present from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial services will be Thursday, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with interment at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa. The family wish to extend a special thanks to Karol, Heather, Mary, and Jill from Hospice of Central Iowa for their loving care and concern.
Stephanie Weeks
11/14/2007
Dan was quite a special guy. I never heard him speak of anything negative. The words he spoke were always therapeutical and mind-expanding. I would always walk away from our talks with new ideas, and he would always put a positive spin on something that I felt was negative with no solution. He was quite the teacher and scholar. His laugh was always contagious.
Marlene and Dan were always joined by the hip--best friends and partners. It is going to be a rough road not having Dan, but I know he is up above taking care of us. That gives me great comfort.
Stephanie Weeks
Bev. Adams
11/13/2007
Wow! I am so blessed and appreciative of knowing Dan and Marlene Higdon! I told Dan that one of my tributes to him would be to "try" to keep sharing his legacy of teaching and helping others in his unassuming way.
There is a phrase I think of when I think of Dan--"Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength!
To Marlene and to Dan's caring family--this man's strength, wisdom and love that you so willingly shared with the rest of us will always be treasured.
Thanks, Dan Higdon, for your amazing grace.
Bev. A
Bev & Sheila
11/13/2007
Dan gave new meaning to the words, "Great Friend". He was such a large part of our lives and will be looking down on us with that develish smile as we watch an Indy Race, cheer on the Hawkeyes and eat hot wings.
He always said he had a special connection with dogs and that was proven by the long conversations and love times he had with Bailer. He was indeed Bailers best friend.
We feel truly blessed that he and Marlene came into our lives. Words cannot express how much he'll be missed.
Love you Danno. It's not goodbye, it's see you later.
Mike and Mary Kay Zaver
11/13/2007
Even though we only new Dan for a short time he was a sweet, funny and sincere
person. He touched so many lives that he will be missed but never forgotten. God Bless all of his family and please accept our deepest sympathy and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron & AJ
11/12/2007
Words cannot describe the the effect that Dan's life, has had on his family, his boys, friends, students, business associates and aquaintances. Dan and I discussed several times what effect our lives have on others and in his modest way he would just say "I love helping others".
That he did, every day, every way.
Whenever there is a gathering of Dan's friends be assured they will take the time to remember Dan and the goodtimes he shared with others, there will always be so many memories and of course stories
Thank you for sharing your Husband, Father, Grandfather...
We will miss him, and never forget him.
Larry and Barb Smiley
11/12/2007
In the last couple of months,Dan and I had some deep talks,that I will never forget.Just to be around Dan made you smile,his way with words of wisdon,I called it,was very profound.Dan was a great listener and a true friend.
He never quit teaching and I never quit learning, I will miss you Buddy.
Smiley