Wilma Hawkinson

Wilma Hawkinson

Oct. 28, 1924 - Feb. 7, 2014

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Wilma Gladys Hawkinson passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, Feb. 7, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was 89 years of age.

She was born Oct. 28, 1924, to Harve L. and Emma (Richard) Penn at the Benkelman Hospital. She grew up on a farm east of Parks, Nebraska. She attended and graduated from Parks Schools in 1943. She married Kenneth L. Vernon on Aug. 5, 1945, in Bird City, Kansas. To this union, three daughters were born: Gloria, Avis and Deb. Kenneth passed away in 1952. In 1964, she married Loren T. Hawkinson in Stratton, Nebraska, and a son, Dean and a daughter, Glenda, joined the family. She and Loren raised the family on a family farm south of Stratton.

During her time, she raised her family and worked as a nurse's aide at several area hospitals and nursing homes. She loved her children, adored her 11 grandchildren and her 19 great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She enjoyed fancy work, of which her family and friends were the lucky recipients. On any day, she could be found following her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at sporting events, horse shows, dog shows and anywhere else she could hitch a ride to. Loren passed away in 2006.

In addition to her husbands, Kenneth in 1952 and Loren in 2006, she was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Harold Penn, and sister-in-law, Naomi Penn.

She is survived by her children, Gloria (Melvin) Duvel of Benkelman, Nebraska, Avis (Ken) Pierce of Kearney, Nebraska, Deb (Larry) Hubl of Trenton, Nebraska, Dean (Lisa) Hawkinson of Falcon, Colorado, Glenda (John) Shepherd of Trenton, Nebraska; grandchildren, Mardell (Stacy) Duvel of Max, Aimée (Justin) Burch of Hastings, Christina Tollman of North Platte, Melissa (Tracy) Duvel of Max, Chrystal (Michael) Dowling of Lexington, Andrea (Tom) Emmerling of Windsor, Colorado, Joe (Amber) Hubl of Stratton, Sarah (Randall) Miner of Stratton, Lauren (Troy) McDaniel of Imperial, Emily Hawkinson and Nathan Hawkinson of Falcon; sister, Dorothy (Everette) Stute of Parks, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Art (Willa Mae) Hawkinson of Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Hap Vernon of California, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be Easter weekend. Cremation with no viewing was her choice.

Memorials may be given to the family for designation at a later date.

Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Benkelman Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.