Bertha Higgins

Bertha "Bertie" Viola Kasdorf Higgins was born May 13, 1945, in Estelline, SD. She was the 18th child born to Arthur and Emma Kasdorf. Bertha passed away November 7, 2025 in Yankton, SD, at the age of 80. She completed the 11th grade in Estelline, SD. Decades passed before Bertha returned to school. She went on to receive her G.E.D. through the Yakima Valley Community College Learning Center in Ellensburg, WA. Bertie was very proud of her accomplishments.

During her lifetime, Bertie worked as a waitress, clerk and cashier, and grocery store owner. She has lived in Ellensburg, WA, Point, TX, Brookings and Estelline SD. Bertie was previously living in the Estelline Nursing and Care Center. She loved to bake, garden, dance, and keep active. Bertha was a very social person with a contagious smile that would light up her entire face.

Bertha is survived by her children Dwayne (Deborah) Martinell and her children of Tye, TX; Marti Martinell (Mathew) Guderjohn of Naches, WA; Wayne (Jeneth) Free, Jr. and their children Jasmine and Jeremy of Minot, ND; Brother John (Beverly) Kasdorf of Watertown, SD; Her sisters Maxine Friskey of Estelline, SD; Vera Sween of Estelline, SD; Eleanor Alderman of Brookings, SD; Mary Liebfried of Manitoba, Canada; Bonnie Begalka of Brookings, SD; Joyce Flisrand of Astoria, SD; and Ruth (Gayle) Rasmussen of Ivanhoe, MN; a special niece, Barbara (Craig) Mogler of Brookings, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands Wayne Free Sr and Jim Higgins; Her brothers Fred Kasdorf, Arthur Jr Kasdorf, Ralph Kasdorf, Kenneth Kasdorf, and Floyd Kasdorf, a set of twins, her sisters Frances Weiland and Marian Sween; in laws Elaine Kasdorf, Cora Kasdorf, Carl Sween, Gillard Sween, John Alderman, Bruce Begalka, Milton Flisrand, Ralph Friskey, and James Liebfried.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Geise Funeral Chapel in Estelline, SD. A Visitation will be held an hour prior from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.