Ernest Hawkinson

Memorial services for Ernest Hawkinson of Chokio, MN will be Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Chokio Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

Ernest Roland Hawkinson, son of Carl and Helena (Johnson) Hawkinson, was born on September 21, 1926 on a farm in Framnas Township, rural Cyrus, Minnesota.  He was baptized on October 24, 1926 at Cyrus Lutheran Church and later confirmed. He was united in marriage to Shirley Ward on November 12, 1949 in Elk Point, South Dakota.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Chokio, MN, where they raised their five children and Ernie worked at a mink farm, Western Farms and later at Great Plains Lumber. Shirley died on September 22, 1983. Ernie retired from Great Plains Lumber in 1988.  For the next 24 years, Ernie enjoyed driving a John Deere tractor in the fall and the spring for Asmus Farms.

Ernie was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio.  He enjoyed gardening, canning pickles, livestock, going to the casino and watching sports and Polka Fun Time. Known as “Big E” to his family, his house was the family gathering location, especially during the Chokio Community Picnic. During winter months, you could count on a beard on his face, and a jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen table. The Hawkinson family routine evolved around Ernie. To his family he was a legend, and will be truly missed.

Ernest died on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. He was 92 years old.

He is survived by four children: Debra (Stephen) Tanner of Watertown, John (Terri) Hawkinson of Chokio, Charlotte (Gerry) Glaeser of Watertown and Sandy (Barry) Wymore of Watertown; 16 grandchildren: Ronald (Kayla) Hawkinson Jr., Holly (Jason Grindatti) Ryan, Oliver (Candace Hanson) Babcock, Robert Tanner, Seth Tanner, Peder (Judith Radde) Tanner, Ingrid (Bill McCain) Tanner, Tracy Hawkinson, Roxanne (Peter) White, Chris Hawkinson, Lindsay Hawkinson, Jason (Abby) Glaeser, Sarah (Erik) Strand, Shannon (Joey) Stadnick, Shane (Katie) Wymore and Justin (Sabrina) Wymore; 19 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law: DeAnne Hawkinson of Chokio; sister: Deloris Flaa of Plymouth; brother-in-law: Donald Gaulrapp of Wheaton; sisters-in-law: Pat Cordell of Morris, Charlene Nuzum of Sioux City, IA, Janice Wimmer of Kingsley, IA and Mary Kay Kock of Sioux City, IA and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife: Shirley; his parents; one son: Ronald Hawkinson Sr.; one grandson: Rawdon Hawkinson; seven brothers: Lloyd, Norman, Elmer, Raymond, Donald, Clarence and Dennis Hawkinson; two sisters: Verma Rosenmerkel and Helen Gaulrapp; parents-in-law: Clara and Homer Ward; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.pedersenfh.com.