Margaret M. Higgins

When summer sets and the fireworks fade, we remember the pop | sparks | bursting splendor … and relish the falling glow. And saddened as we are to see it end, we thank God that it happened … and await the moment we will see it again. 

Firecracker (slang) - refers to a person, often a woman, who is spirited, energetic, feisty and quick-witted.

 Margaret Mary Rumbach Higgins—a rare and ageless woman also known as Sis, Marge, Mom and “everyone’s Grammy”—went home to the loving arms of Jesus on August 27, 2025. Margaret had an indescribable light and warmth that permeated her every interaction and left the one she encountered feeling seen and loved. The extent of her impact on people is evident by the countless number of people she inspired to say, “When I grow up I want to be Grammy.” 

Margaret was born April 17, 1927, in Jasper, IN, to Albert “A.T.” and Cecilia (Kramer) Rumbach, the third and only girl of their four children. A “daddy’s girl” from the start, “Sis” followed in A.T.’s footsteps and blazed the first of her many trails by earning a journalism degree from Marquette University in 1949. Although it was brothers Jack and Ed and eventually nephews John and Dan who took over leadership of the well regarded Jasper Herald, the family-owned newspaper, Margaret never missed an opportunity to talk of how proud she was to be part of a family with printer’s ink in their veins. 

At Marquette, “Marge” met Eugene Loftus Higgins, from Wyoming, PA, who was attending college on the G.I. Bill. They married on September 3, 1949, and over the next 16 years the couple made homes throughout the Midwest, living in Milwaukee, Jasper, Green Bay, Excelsior MN, and finally Appleton. Along the way the two became a family of 10 and Marge became “Mom”.

 As her children grew, Margaret led them by example, opening their hearts, home and world to friends, classmates, and strangers—including seven foreign exchange students. Neighbors—even the kids—became lifelong friends and were among her loyal visitors to the end. Her ability to be creative and cool inspired many family fun occasions such as holiday traditions and meals, the Night to Howl (ask her kids!), and endless “rehash sessions” spent savoring good times had. 

Margaret's Catholic faith was integral to her life. She had a special devotion to the rosary and believed deeply in the Christian value that we’re here to share whatever time, talent and treasure God gives us, and she was generous with all three. In particular, she relished the many hours volunteering in her kids’ Xavier Catholic schools and being part of the group that started its legendary Food Fair fundraiser. She also derived great joy from decades spent working with the developmentally disabled through the Christ Child Society, especially the annual Camp week that provided respite for families.

 As her youngest child prepared to leave the nest, Margaret took on her next and maybe most prolific moniker, that of “Grammy”. She adored her 11 grandchildren and 10 great grands, the youngest of whom she joyfully welcomed into her arms just weeks before she died. She became a cheerleader extraordinaire for everything they did, and, as she had done with her own brood of eight, extended her love for them to their friends and their families, thus earning her the title “everyone’s Grammy”.

 Margaret loved words. This meant any newspaper found in her house had the crossword torn out, she was always up for a challenging game of Scrabble or Boggle, and if she appeared sleep-starved, it was likely she stayed awake all night finishing a book. During her few years working at a bookstore, she went home with books instead of pay. She also loved playing cards, cribbage, and even a good horse race now and then.

 Margaret especially loved “her people”. Among her best memories were times spent with her many Xavier fellow parents and friends including those in her TP (Trivial Pursuit) group; the Creative Journey group that met at the Appleton Public Library; and writing with her literary friends dubbed The Poets – Ellen Kort, Rusty McKenzie, Laurel Mills, and Helen Fahrbach. It would be impossible to list the countless individuals who were “her people”, but we know you know who you are because she let you know.

 Margaret’s sense of adventure fostered an enduring desire to travel, something she did well into her 90s. She traversed almost all 50 states in planes, trains, RVs, cruise ships and automobiles. She’d often visit family who lived away, roadtrip to Maine, and seek warmth or enjoy Disney with grandchildren in Florida. Later in life, she’d “sail away” to more distant shores, visiting more than 30 countries on five continents. Along the way, she collected shells in the Bahamas, hung out with her brother Paul “Buzz” and other relatives in Europe, explored the ancient worlds of Egypt, Israel and Greece, and set out for far flung destinations like Japan, Scotland, and her favorite New Zealand. 

As age and post-polio syndrome affected Margaret’s mobility over the last 25 years, her resilient nature took center stage. She chose to make it work, and with the help of family—something for which she was endlessly thankful—she was able to live a very full life and (with special thanks to Chris) stay in her home. Thank you also to her caregivers, and especially to Sue Van Abel who was with her for two and a half years.

 Margaret will be forever missed by her children and their families: Tim and his wife Jonna; Jane and her son Ian; Glenn and his wife Anne, and their children: Sarah and her daughter Cecilia; Casey, her husband Juston Johnson, and their children Saoirse and Rourke; and Daniel, his wife Caitlin, and their children Camden, Owen and Audra; Mary; Peter and his wife Margy and their children: Nathan and his children Skyler, Levi, Evelyn and Violet; Lindsey; and Whitney; Molly’s husband Mike Grow and their sons Sam and Ben; Susan and her husband Timothy Blotz, and their daughters Madison and Emerson; and Christopher. She is further survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews.

 Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Eugene in 1989, and her daughter Molly in October 2024; her parents, her brothers and their wives: Jack and Anna Marie, Ed and Esther, and Paul and Monique Rumbach; and Gene’s parents William and Kathryn Higgins, his brother Bill Higgins and wife Billie, and his sister Mary and husband John Harkovich; and nieces and nephews.

 A funeral Mass for Margaret will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 S. State St., Appleton, with Fr. William Swichtenberg officiating. Visitation at St. Mary beginning at 9 AM until the time of Mass. Visitation also on September 8, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St. Appleton from 4-7 PM. Inurnment at a later date at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, 2121 Prospect Avenue, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Margaret’s memory to St. Joseph Food Program or St. Mary Parish, Appleton. For those unable to attend the funeral Mass, a livestream is available at www.stmaryparish.org. Just click the “Watch Mass” button at the top of the page.

 Margaret wanted the celebration of her life to be a joyous occasion. Please consider wearing her favorite color yellow in her honor.