JoAnn Rauline Higgins

JoAnn Rauline Higgins, age 79, passed away in the evening of Wednesday June 4th, 2025, after a courageous battle with Thyroid Cancer. An adoring wife to husband Dennis Russell Higgins, Sr. (55+ yrs married), a loving mother to four; Dennis Russell Higgins, Jr. (Karyn), Heidi Jo Higgins Berg (Matt), Christopher Joseph Higgins (Sydney), Andrea Jean Higgins Martin (Brian). And a proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren: Brittney, Haley, Emma (Dennis Jr./Karyn), Hunter, Daniel, Kellen (Heidi/Matt Berg); Maggie, Gabe, Nate (Chris / Sydney); McKayla, Mason (Andrea/Brian Martin).
She was born in Spokane Washington on August 12th, 1945, to Raymond L. Hanson and Opal S. Hanson. Proud of her Norwegian heritage she enjoyed staying connected to her expansive Hanson family in Minnesota and North Dakota.
JoAnn graduated from John R. Rogers High School in 1963. She attended Whitworth College / Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1966. JoAnn began her nursing career at Deaconess Hospital becoming Head Operating Nurse by age 24.
While building her nursing career she met Dennis "Denny" Russell Higgins, at a wedding party for respective friends. They courted for nearly 3 years and were married on November 29,1969 in Spokane, WA.
JoAnn spent nearly 3 decades working in the nursing field, spending most of her career at Shriners Hospital for Children, working primarily in surgery and recovery.
While having a successful and impactful career in nursing, JoAnns primary focus throughout her adult life was her family. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.
She was very involved in her kids growth, volunteering in childrens programs including at school, in Sunday school and CCD at Assumption Parish. She and Denny put their kids through Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane and valued its strong community. JoAnn loved attending her childrens and grandchildrens various school and sporting events. She always showed up providing positive support and comfort.
She loved spending time at the family compound on the Northfork of the Coeur d Alene River, sitting on her deck or on the shore of the river watching her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews running around and playing in the natural beauty of the Idaho Panhandle.
JoAnn instilled in her kids and grandkids the importance of staying connected to family. She provided her kids, grandkids and all who encountered her a clear example of living a life with love, compassion, empathy, and caring for all those she knew and encountered. She expressed her love through her actions and emotions, and you could feel it genuinely when it came your way. Her memory and way of life will live on through all those who knew her, particularly her kids and grandkids.
She is survived by all mentioned before as well as her sister Janine and was preceded in death by her parents Raymond Leonard Hanson and Opal Sophia Hanson and her in-laws Peter Patrick Higgins, Sr. and Elizabeth Russell Higgins.
Her family thanks all the staff, nurses and doctors who cared for her during her treatment for cancer, particularly the ICU at Holy Family hospital. We will miss her profoundly but take comfort in knowing she is now free of cancer and in paradise with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her loved ones who have gone before.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Shriners Childrens Spokane 911 W. 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA. 99204, or online at www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/spokane/about-us/ways-to-give?campaign=674106.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Assumption Catholic Church: 3624 W. Indian Trail Rd. on July 3rd, at 11:30 am.
Services
Funeral Mass
Thursday
July 3, 2025
11:30 AM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
3624 W. Indian Trail Road
Spokane, WA 99208 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of JoAnn, please visit our Tree Store.