Irvin "Jiggs" Higdem

Irvin “Jiggs” Themar Higdem 87, of Portland, ND, died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND. Jiggs was born September 10, 1925 to Carl and Lisa (Hagen) Higdem on the family farm in Steele Co., ND. He grew up and attended school in Portland. He entered the US Navy on November 26, 1943. He was a seaman first class and served aboard the USS Boston in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He was honorably discharged April 12, 1946. On July 16, 1977 he married Beatrice (Finstrom) Olson at Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville. Jiggs worked at Gilman Strand Farm for 12 years. He was the shop manager at Cenex in Portland from 1963 until retiring in 1987. He was a member of the American Legion in Portland, the VFW in Mayville and the North Dakota Iwo Jima Veteran’s Association. Jiggs is survived by his brother, Richard Aamold; sisters, Irene Lidstrom and Judy (Richard) Beck all of Portland; step-children, Bernold Olson of Thompson, ND, Truman (Peggy Sheldon) Olson of Fargo, ND, Audrey (Patrick) O’Brien of Oakes, ND, and Gloria (Jim) Husarik of Lake Park, MN; several step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beatrice; brothers, Theodore, Lawrence and Joseph Higdem, and Maynard and Robert Aamold; sister, Lorraine Strom; and step-brothers, Ingvald and Mickel Aamold. Visitation: 5-7 PM Tuesday, April 30, 2013 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Baker Funeral Home in Mayville. Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland, ND. Burial: Aurdal Lutheran Church Cemetery, Portland, ND.