It is never easy to lose a loved one but losing both your parents in one day can be devastating. This family went through immense heartbreak and is still reeling from their loss.
This is the story of the Hawkins family…
Steve Hawkin worked as the Yankton County EMS administrator in South Dakota. He was well-loved by his co-workers and community. The 58-year-old was a staple in his community along with his wife Wendy Hawkins.
He had been working at Yankton County since 2009. Before which he was a Paramedic in Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park. He started his career as a Paramedic in San Diego, California.
Steve had been battling cancer for the last 5 years of his life. He succumbed to his illness on December 23, 2022.
His wife Wendy had been with him throughout his illness. Unfortunately, she had been diagnosed with cancer as well a short while ago. Wendy was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago and then Steve followed.
Both husband and wife passed away within 12 hours of each other, according to their son Trenton Hawkins.
Wendy was a committed home-maker who stayed at home to raise the couples’ three children Brad, Mandi, and Trenton. All three of them are now in their 20s. Brad and Trenton live at home while Mandi moved to Iowa to live with her fiance.
“It’s just a shock to the system,” Troy Cowman, the deputy administrator for the EMS said. “All of here (EMS) are working through it.”
“Steve was the kind of leader that ran the business the way it should be run,” he added.
Steve’s memorial will be held closer to Spring but a definitive date has not been set by the department. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the Hawkins children to help with the costs of the parents’ funerals.
My hearts goes out to the Hawkin children and the rest of the family as they deal with this unimaginable loss. Please send well wishes to the family and friends of Steve and Wendy Hawkins.
