Sheryl Louise Higgins

Sheryl L. Higgins, 78, of Albany, passed away at her home.

The daughter of Warren and Irma (Podshadley) Karges, she was born in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Born and raised in South Dakota, she later moved to California with her family. There she met her first husband in the late 1960s, and they married in 1969. Together, they settled in the Albany area and had two daughters. In the late 1990s, she met Lennie, and they married in 2000. They made their home in Brownsville and shared many happy years together. After Len's passing in 2020, she returned to Albany to be closer to her loved ones.

She worked for over 20 years at the Pioneer Villa in Brownsville, handling bookkeeping with remarkable dedication and dependability. Known for her strong work ethic, she never missed a day on the job, even during holidays or winter storms, when she would simply sleep at the office. She retired in 2024 but remained proudly independent until her last days. Outside of work, she cherished her Brownsville community and the many friendships she built over the years. She enjoyed evenings at the Brownsville Tavern, survivor nights with friends, and game nights filled with laughter.

Family meant everything to her. She treasured every moment spent cheering on her great-grandchildren at their games, attending family get-togethers, and traveling with her sisters, trips that always included a stop at a casino and visits with loved ones in California. She was famous for her frosted brownies, requested at every gathering, and she delighted in bringing family together over food, laughter, and stories. Her curiosity and humor never faded. She even tried her first "raw" blueberry at the age of 77.

She had a fun-loving and unfiltered spirit that everyone cherished. She loved a good trinket, McDonald's Happy Meals, and her signature mix of Malibu and Diet Pepsi. A slot machine enthusiast, she never passed by a machine without trying her luck. She found joy in life's simple pleasures, especially anything creative. She loved taking "make-and-take" classes, from building terrariums and crafting holiday wreaths to creating stained glass pieces and other art projects she could proudly bring home. She had a knack for turning even the smallest craft into something special and loved sharing her creations with family and friends. She also enjoyed shopping, working on puzzles (though never more than 500 pieces!), and spending time on her iPad, which was never far from her side.

Every morning began with a cookie for breakfast, and every day reflected her kindness, humor, and independence. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. Her warmth and one-of-a-kind personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Sheryl is survived by her daughters, Tami (Robert) Minnick and Traci Beattie; sisters, Noreen (Mike) Sullivan and Teresa Demers; grandchildren, Justin (Jennifer) Drew, Hayli Minnick, Skyler (Cailee) Minnick, and Emily Sears; and great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Wyatt, and Lily, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lennie, and will be interred with him at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Pioneer Villa in Brownsville, Oregon, on Friday, November 21, 2025. It will be an open house from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for family and friends to gather, share stories, and remember the person she was to all of us.