Donald Edward Hawkins

Donald Edward Hawkins, (Hawk as he liked to be called) age 96, died peacefully on Tuesday January 27,2026 at Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River, MN. 

He was born on June 5th, 1929, in Pine City, MN to Irvin and Estella Hawkins.  He was second youngest of nine children, all who preceded him in death.  At a young age his family moved to Elk River, where they farmed through all his growing up years.  

During his time in Elk River, he met and married Roberta June (Glidden) on Sept. 26th, 1953, at Union Congregational Church in Elk River.  They have been blessed with a long marriage of 72 years.  

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Farmington, MN where he worked as a mechanic for a farm implement business.  Two of his three children were born in Farmington, Allan and Cindy.  After a move to Springfield, their next move was to New Ulm, MN where they spent many years and were blessed with a third child, Diane. 

Don was known by many for his work ethic, serving others, laughter and love for family.

In New Ulm he worked many years for Gafford Farm Supply as a mechanic.  The farmers in the community loved how he could fix anything and would always show up with a smile.  Later in New Ulm he also worked for 3M in their maintenance department.  In his later years he worked as a school bus driver for New Ulm Public Schools.  This is where his love of children really shined.  He always made sure the children were safe, got to know all their names and assured their parents they were in good hands.  He was known for a clean well-kept bus and to add a little fun would dress up in costume for Halloween and wear a Santa Suit during the Christmas season.  During their later years Don and Roberta took many bus trips to many places throughout the United States also including trips to Alaska and Hawaii.  Don also volunteered in his community.  He delivered food for meals on wheels, was on the building team at their church, built little library houses that still stand in New Ulm and especially enjoyed volunteering in the school where he would bring in all the supplies and do a building project with the kindergarten classes.  He was a wood worker and enjoyed making replicas of old farm equipment and vehicles, many of which he often gave away.  In 2019 he received Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award highlighted at the Brown County Fair.  In 2023 Don and Roberta moved to Guardian Angels in Otsego, MN. 

Don is survived by his wife Roberta, children Allan Hawkins (Kay), Cindy Vollmer (Steve), and Diane Niehoff  (Mark); six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. 

Funeral services will be held at Dare’s Funeral Home in Elk River on Feb. 15th at 2:00.  He will be buried at Vernon Cemetery in Elk River, MN.

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