Patricia Higgins Caudel

Patricia “Pat” A. Higgins Caudel, a rancher’s life well lived, passed away at the age of 87, on November 24, in Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 29 at Church of St. Annes , 1321 Braman Ave, Bismarck, with Reverend Thomas Grafsgaard officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A Rosary will be said for her at 11:00 am, Wednesday, at the church. Burial will be North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Pat was born a twin on March 24, 1930, in Jamestown, ND, to Walter J. and Hilda (Thorp) Higgins, her twin brother Walter Jr. passed away at birth. Pat grew up in Solen, ND, where her mother, Hilda, was a depot agent for 50 years and where she and her husband, Walter, established The Higgins Ranch. Pat attended Solen School through her sophomore year and then transferred to Bismarck St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1948. She graduated from Bismarck Junior College Outstanding Alumna. She served on the alumni board for 20 years and was president, 1943-75. In 1953, she graduated from University of North Dakota with a degree in marketing. Pat has been known for her contributions to several organizations. At the top of the list is the American Legion Auxiliary. She joined the auxiliary in 1957 as a senior. She was Unit, District, and Department State President. Others included the Republican Party, the National Stockmen’s Association, the ND Peace Officers’, and BJC Alumni Association.  Pat was an active young Republican. She developed an interest in politics while working as a legislative page and later, a chief page and messenger to the ND Senate. She was the first woman to serve on the Republican State Central Committee and as District 35 Chairman. Also, she was the first woman president of the ND Peace Officers Association. Numerous awards and appreciation plaques graced her home walls, each revealing the aspects of the many gracious people whom she had shared her life with. After her UND graduation, she landed a job with Dayton’s in Minneapolis. Her marketing career was cut short when her father died unexpectedly in 1955. Being the only child, Pat was needed at home to take care of the ranch. She said, “The only experience I have in ranching is riding a horse.” She operated the ranch for four years until she found a dependable hired man. After 32 years of ranching, Pat more than doubled the size of her operation and quadrupled the size of the Herefords and Black Angus herd. Pat met her husband, Bob Caudel, a vice president of the Bank of ND, through a mock wife kidnapping for a law enforcement training school. Bob was single and said, “Someone would need to find him a wife.” Pat agreed to play the role. They arranged to meet at a coffee shop. Bob asked, “How will I know you?” Pat answered, “I’m big, good looking, and I’ll be wearing a black suit with a white cape.” They went over their roles and fell in love. They were engaged three weeks later and were married June 2, 1978. Bob passed away April 8, 2002. Pat worked as a receptionist for 6 years at the State Laboratories Department and for 21 years as the identification officer at the State Crime Bureau, retiring in 1989. She became the state’s number one fingerprint expert, learning the trade under Richard Hilde, the bureau’s chief agent. She attended the Administrative Advance Lalent Fingerprint School at the FBI Academy in Virginia. Best remembered for wearing red lipstick and fingernail polish, fine jewelry, and matching accessories, Pat was a very stylish, intelligent, and well-mannered person who enjoyed parties. She had a very sharp wit and usually had the last words in a debate. Pat will be reunited with her husband, Bob; her parents, Walter and Hilda; and baby brother, Walter Jr., numerous aunts and uncles, grandparents, and many friends. Memorials may be sent to American Legion Auxiliary Club.