Read about the passing of:

   Dixie L. Higgins, 78, passed away after coronary failure in the early morning
hours of Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. Dixie was born in Brunswick, Mo., on
Dec. 8, 1928 to Charles and Evelyn (Shull) Blake. When she was five, her family
moved to Carrollton, Mo. She graduated from Carrollton High School in 1946.
After attending Christian College in Columbia, Mo., majoring in art for one year,
she moved with her family to York in 1947.
    In 1952, Dixie married James P. Higgins and together they owned and operated Higgins Studio for over 40 years. Dixie was an award winning photographic artist and oil colorist. She served as president of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska and she and her husband were presented a lifetime achievement award upon retirement in 1990. She also served on the board of “Heart of America” Professional Photographers Association and was a longtime member of Professional Photographers of America.
    Dixie enjoyed many years of artwork, painting portraitures, embroidery, reading, working crossword puzzles, entertaining and traveling. She excelled in the game of bridge and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship she shared with her many friends and associates. In addition to her professional duties, her work as a mother, wife and homemaker helped to fulfill the role of a complete individual. Her unselfishness and the giving of her talents, time and energy were obvious to all around her.
    Dixie leaves her husband Jim of 55 years. Other survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, James Patrick and Shirley Higgins of Seward, Michael and Cecilia Higgins of Reno, Nev., and daughter and son-in- law Catherine and Scott Von Minden of Lincoln. Dixie also leaves 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Charlotte Blake of Sun City, Ariz.

Loretta T. Roland

   Loretta Roland, 71, Lincoln Photographer, passed away on February 16, 2008 at
The Monarch House for Hospice Care where she spent the last week with family,
friends and loved ones.
    Loretta was known as a kind hearted spirit that met everyone with a contagious smile. She grew up in Pawnee City, NE where she was known to always have a
camera in her hand. Loretta and her husband Dan were married in 1957 in Lincoln, then moved to Scottsbluff, NE for two years Returning to Lincoln, they opened their studio in the early 1960’s, where they continued business until 2005. Always present faces at conventions, Loretta and Dan were members of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska and the PPA since the early 1960’s. She actually started photographing weddings by accidentally scheduling two weddings on a Saturday at the same time. Not wanting to disappoint clients, she took the spare equipment for Dan’s wedding and headed to her own wedding. Many of these clients over the years became lifelong friends and she loved the fact that by the end of her career, their studio was photographing the grandkids of clients that she had served over those many year’s. Her love for photography had earned her an award for Top 10 Photographer of the Year in 1973. She so looked forward to visiting with lifelong photography friends at each convention.
    Loretta’s biggest love was for her children and grandchildren. With six children, fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren, her walls were filled with photographs of all of them growing up throughout the years. Loretta will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We would like to thank all the photographers, associations and businesses that had known Loretta throughout the years for lending their support and condolences in this difficult time. It has really proven how much of a loved and admired person Loretta was. It also shows what a great and supportive organization the PP of N really is. Thank you all and May God bless each and everyone.

Dan Roland and Family