Memorial

Dorothy Fern Binau Higdon was born November 14, 1939, in Allerton, Iowa to Pearl and Louise Binau. She grew up on the family farm and was active in cheer, school band, New Zion Methodist Church, and many other activities. Dorothy attended Simpson College, majoring in elementary education, where she was introduced to Dave Higdon. They both graduated in 1962 and were married in 1963. Dorothy began teaching first in Iowa and then in Boston while Dave attended graduate school. She remained a popular substitute teacher throughout many of her moves.

The family returned to Iowa to begin ministry in 1966. Together they served churches in Burlington (1966-1968), Muscatine (1968-1972), Brighton and West Chester (1972-1976), Earlham, De Soto, Worthington (1976-1979), Lake Mills and Thompson (1979-1985), Centerville (1985-1995), Le Mars (1995-1997) and Cedar Rapids (1997-1999). Dorothy was active in each church that she and Dave served, including as Sunday School teacher, choir member, and officer in United Methodist Women. She joined P.E.O. in 1961 and was active on local and state levels for the rest of her life. She served as a member of the Iowa Annual Conference and was a Delegate to many national conferences of the United Methodist Church. Dorothy was a frequent public speaker, presenting programs on her mission and other travels to local groups across the state.

Dorothy was deeply committed to helping others and believed everyone was your neighbor. As a result, she volunteered her time and donated money to numerous charitable organizations and social justice causes. Two of her favorites were Heifer International and Justice for Our Neighbors. Dorothy positively impacted so many people’s lives that her sons and grandchildren often joked that they couldn’t travel anywhere in the state without running into someone who knew her and had a kind memory to share.  

Dorothy enjoyed travel, music of all kinds, theatre, flowers, and her kids’ activities. Dorothy was a loving mother to three boys: Gerald (1964-1971), James (1966), and Richard (1970). She was noted for taking pictures and sharing them. She especially loved to take pictures of her grandkids and attended their events every chance she could. Dorothy loved to laugh and did so often. Dorothy was famous for making wonderful caramels. Dorothy Higdon died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of November 25, 2024. She is survived by her husband Dave, their sons: Jim (Jennifer Bradley) and Rich (Katie Dahl), her four grandchildren: Nate, Dalton, Henry, and Guthrie, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Gerald, her parents, and her brother Charles. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Salem United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the Memorial Service Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be held at Newton Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, IA at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice at iowammj.org/donate or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 41006, Des Moines, IA 50311. Please indicate your gift is in honor of Dorothy Higdon in the contribution note or in your check memo.