Berniece Higginbotham, age 99, of Forsyth

Cora Berniece Higginbotham, age 99 of Forsyth passed away on November 20^th, 2018 at Rosebud Health Care Center Nursing Home.  Berniece was born on July 4^th, 1919 about two miles north of Vanada in a farm house.  She was the youngest of eight children born to Amanuel and Martha (Ringheim) Johnson.  Berniece attended eight years of country schools; Rimrock, Nelson, Davidelle, and Big Porcupine Creek Country School.  She then attended high school in Forsyth.  During these high school years, she lived with her oldest sister Gurtrude and her brother-in-law William Straw, helping with housework and cooking.  Senior year she moved in with her oldest brother Clarence and sister-in-law Ruby, helping with household chores and babysitting her cousins.  After graduation in May of 1936, Berniece worked at Goodman’s Café making .10 cents/hr.  She worked there for 4 years.  In 1942, she moved to San Diego to work for Consolidated Aircrafts as a file stock clerk.  In 1942, she married Charles Higginbotham.  Berniece and Charlie lived in Colstrip for 4 years, eventually moving back to Forsyth and farming until selling out in 1949.

In 1950, together they built and operated The Charles Motel on front street in Forsyth.  They had four units ready for business by that fall.  The room rate was $4/night. They eventually added groceries, oil, and gas.  The motel was an amazing achievement.  Berniece put in many hours cleaning rooms and doing laundry by hand.  She was a hard worker, always doing things right and never cutting corners.  While putting in many hours at the motel she also worked for F.D. Lawrence preparing taxes and insurance until 1952.  After 18 years in business, they sold the Motel to Loudens on June 1^st 1968.

In later years, Berniece enjoyed selling and consulting for Shaklee, and working at the Rosebud County Museum for 10 years.

Berniece was an active continuous member of the American Auxiliary Legion Post 39 since July 1954, the secretary of treasurer for the Rosebud County Pioneer Association for 28 years, the treasurer for the Forsyth Women’s Garden Club for many years, 4-H home makers member, and faithful member of the Concordia Lutheran Church of Forsyth.

Berniece had a “matter of fact” way about her.  She voiced the facts bluntly. At the age of 95, she was determined to renew her drivers license, passing the driving test in her 1977 blue nova.  She was also extremely witty, laughing at her own one-liner jokes. She enjoyed gardening and canning and dancing with Charlie on an occasional Friday night.  Never having children of her own, she was a mother to her many nieces and nephews.  She was a rock of stability to many throughout the years.

Berniece was preceded in death by her husband Charles Higginbotham; brothers N. Clarence Johnson, and Emanuel O. Johnson; sisters Gurtrude M. Straw, Anna B. Mochon, Vernie G. Anderson, Myrtle A. O’Brien, Olga L. Axberg; three nephews David G. Johnson, Robert C. Johnson and William K. Straw; two nieces Martha C. Fourtner and Myrtle M. Bay.  She is survived by her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

One of her favorite sayings, “Love you little, love you big.  Love you like a little pig.” We will all miss you dearly.

Should friends desire memorials may be made to the Concordia Lutheran Church.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Tuesday November 27, 2018

Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home

Forsyth, Montana 59327

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Funeral Service

11:00 AM

Wednesday November 28, 2018

Concordia Lutheran Church

Forsyth, Montana 59327

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Interment

Following the Funeral Service

Wednesday November 28, 2018

Forsyth Cemetery

Forsyth, Montana 59327

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