Ruby Mae Hawkins, 98, formerly of Mellette, SD, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2016 in Niles, MI. Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate. Ruby will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Mellette Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. Halbritter Funeral Home of Niles, MI and Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD have been entrusted with arrangements.

Ruby Mae Palmer Hawkins was born on March 30, 1918, in Baker, MT to Herbert and Pearl (Jones) Palmer. She was the sixth of eight children with five brothers and two sisters. When Ruby was not yet two years old, the Palmer family returned to the Mellette, SD, area where she remained until the age of 83 when she moved to a daughter's home in Michigan.

Ruby graduated from Mellette High School in 1936 and was married on June 13th of that same year to Donald Preston Hawkins who was a Mellette native. Together they farmed and raised a family, lived on the same farm southeast of Mellette for over 50 years and celebrated 58 years of marriage. Donald preceded her in death on November 8, 1994.

Ruby was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Family was the center of her life. She helped mold the lives of her children by being an active member of the Mellette Methodist Church as well as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. Ruby was one of the organizers and first leaders of the Mellette 4-H Club and remained a leader for many years. She was always a supporter of school activities and anything in which her children were involved. Ruby was a member of the Extension Club and Rebekah Lodge and she earned awards for longevity of membership from each.

First with their family and later in semi-retirement, Donald and Ruby enjoyed traveling. They especially enjoyed visiting friends and family from coast to coast as well as Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. They also spent several winters in AZ. Ruby continued to enjoy traveling well into her 90's.

As Ruby's family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was a devoted Gramma and Nana. Her love for her family was unwavering and there was always plenty of love to welcome a new member to the family. She was present to help with the care of each new grandchild.

Ruby leaves her children to mourn her passing: a son, Terry Donald (Gail) Hawkins of Mellette and Mesa, AZ; and two daughters: Mary Anne Hawkins-Fischer of Phoenix, AZ and Sherry Wanko of Niles, MI. Feeling the loss of their beloved Gramma are: Todd (Wendi) Hawkins, Freeville, NY; Becky Hawkins, Aberdeen, SD; Brad (Dayna) Fischer, Phoenix, AZ; Tarra (Lindsay Robeson) Fischer, Mellette, SD; Tami (Bradley Smith) Fischer, Mesa, AZ; David Wanko, Niles, MI; Kevin (Arisa) Wanko, Lawton, MI; and Brian Wanko, Alexandria, VA. Great-grandchildren who cherished their Nana are Delaney and Madison Hawkins, Freeville, NY; Travis Fischer of Phoenix, AZ; Tiffany and Remi Fischer and their mother, Sheryl Sheets, Los Angeles, CA; and EmmyLea and Andrew Robeson, Mellette. She is also survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews who remember Aunt Ruby with special affection including: Mrs. Dennis (Lynda) Wiedebush of Aberdeen, SD; Karin Eppard of Naples, FL; and Mrs. James (Phyllis) Schurz of Sun Lakes, AZ.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter-in-law, Carol Milbrandt Hawkins, sons-in-law Terry Fischer and Bernie Wanko, and granddaughter, Carmen Hawkins, as well as all seven of her siblings, including Mrs. Mary Stucker of Mellette.

Memorials are appreciated to the Mellette Community Hall Building Fund, Mellette, SD 57461 or The Old Rugged Cross Association, c/o Pokagon United Methodist Church, 31393 Kansas St. Dowagiac, MI 49047.

Friday, December 02, 2016
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Ave
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Saturday, December 03, 2016
10:30 AM

Northwestern United Methodist Church
232 4th Avenue
Mellette, SD 57461

Saturday, December 03, 2016
11:30 AM

Mellette Cemetery

Mellette, SD 57461