Letitia Jane "Tish" Higginbotham

1950 - 2025

Letitia Jane "Tish" (Becker) Higginbotham, 75, passed away peacefully Dec. 25, 2025, at Brookstone View Care Home in Broken Bow, Neb. A cherished wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and friend, Tish was devoted to her family and known for her generosity, warmth and the love she so freely shared with everyone around her.

Letitia "Tish" was born Feb. 24, 1950, in Burwell to Guy E. and Vera (Hesselgesser) Becker. She grew up in Burwell and graduated from Burwell High School in 1968. Later she attended beauty school in Lincoln. It was during her time in beauty school that she was introduced to her future husband, Dennis Higginbotham. 

Tish and Dennis were married Aug. 1, 1970, in Kearney, exchanging vows that would carry them through a lifetime together. Through their union, two beautiful daughters were born, Tara and Amy, and with them began the growth of the family they would spend their lives lovingly caring for. Their 55 years of marriage were filled with morning Folgers coffee, weekend fishing trips, countless family gatherings and activities and as much love and dedication as two people can share.

Tish and Dennis made their home in Kearney, Merna, Lincoln and Milford, Nebraska, before eventually returning to Custer County.

Throughout her working years, Tish was known for her kindness, reliability and attention to detail. She began her career at Ben Franklin, where she learned her bookkeeping skills from Ken Lyddon, followed by a position at KCNI Radio Station. She later served as the secretary at Govier Brothers Mortuary where her compassion and steady presence brought comfort to countless families during some of their most difficult moments. Tish retired in 2003 after 20 years at Govier Brothers. In retirement, she continued to use her bookkeeping skills for Dennis' business, Higginbotham Construction, remaining an important part of everything they built together.

Through the years and their work with Higginbotham Construction, Dennis and Tish built three homes for themselves. Tish was deeply involved in every step of the process, from planning and design to painting, staining and varnishing, taking great pride in making each house a true home. Each home they worked to create together held the family that Tish loved and a beautiful life that they all shared.

Tish enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, camping, boating and fishing, and she loved sharing all of these things with those she loved most. She was known for cooking large meals for her growing family and never sitting down until everyone else was served.
Countless family memories were made around her table, sharing food into which she poured her whole heart.

Tish was as devoted as they come to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They could always count on her to make their requested birthday dessert each year and to be there, smiling in the crowd, at every school event or sporting activity. She made up beds when they came home to visit, surprised them with hot fudge sundaes for lunch and stood with Dennis on the front porch, waving goodbye until their car disappeared from sight.

Tish and Dennis also shared a deep love for great music. They attended many concerts over the years and collected countless concert T-shirts along the way. They passed on an appreciation for "good" music to their family, as it played in the background of nearly every family gathering.

Tish is survived by her loving husband Dennis; daughter Tara Glendy of Broken Bow; daughter and son-in-law Amy and John Evans of Kearney; three granddaughters and three grandsons Jessie Yarrington, Nicole (Logan) Miller, Nathan (Tristen) Evans, Sarah (Jesse) Ulrich, Clayton (Brathe) Glendy and Brody Evans; four great-granddaughter, Vera Miller, Ella Evans, Sophia Ulrich and Wren Glendy; five great-grandsons Leo and Mason Miller, Baker Evans and Beau and Ryett Glendy; brother Larry Becker; sister Susan (Vern) Johnson; sister-in-law Cheryl (Bob) Bowles; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Guy and Vera Becker; mother-in-law Shirley Hickman; brother Roger Becker; son-in-law Shon Yarrington; grandson Tyler Yarrington; and great-grandson Braxton Ulrich. 

The family is grateful for the compassion, love, and care given to Tish by Brookstone View and Quality Senior Villages team members. 

Funeral services are Wednesday Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 30, 5 - 7 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary with the family greeting friends.

Online condolence and words of remembrance can be left at www.govierbrothers.com.