Mavis E. Hicks

Mavis (Mrs. Russell) Hicks, age 84, of rural Marvin passed away September 3, 2012, at her residence, following a brave battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Friday, September 7th at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot. Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate and burial will be in the Osceola #1 Cemetery in Marvin. Visitation will be Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church Friday morning, one hour prior to the service. Honorary bearers will be "All Her Grandchildren" and casket bearers will be her six children: Cheryl Eiring, Teresa Dashiell, Susan Buttke, James Hicks, Patrick Hicks, and Michael Hicks. The vocalist will be granddaughter, Jami Lynn Buttke and the organist will be Sharon Ammann. Mavis Eleanor (Howell) Hicks was born at the family home (built by her father) in rural Wilmot, SD on December 29, 1927. She was the daughter of Edward Morgan Howell and Ada Belle (Huff) Howell. Mavis attended rural school in Springdale Township and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1945. Following graduation, Mavis attended business school in Minneapolis, MN. She later worked in Milwaukee, WI as a secretary at the John Deere Plant. She returned to South Dakota and taught school for one year in Springdale Township. She attended Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen, SD and earned her teaching certificate. She taught another year at Springdale Township. Mavis was united in marriage with Russell Hicks on a "hot" (107 degrees) day, August 10, 1947, in Sisseton, SD. Mavis continued teaching at Osceola #1 for several years. She later worked at St. Bernard's Hospital in Milbank, SD for 30 years as a nursing assistant and supply manager. She attended nursing classes and received her LPN license. Following her retirement, Mavis worked at the Wilmot Community Home, caring for her mother-in-law, as well as many others. Mavis and Russell enjoyed winters in Texas, and enjoyed meeting many new friends. She was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the women's activities. She enjoyed homemaking, gardening, and dancing. Her children will remember her generous spirit and her care for others. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She always put her family and others before herself. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Russell of rural Marvin, SD; three daughters: Cheryl Eiring (and the late Bill Eiring) of Seymour, MO; Teresa (David) Dashiell of rural Twin Brooks, SD; Susan (Brian) Buttke of rural Corona, SD; three sons: James (Debra) Hicks of rural Wilmot, SD; Michael (Rhonda) Hicks of rural Watertown, SD; Patrick (LaDonna) Hicks of rural Twin Brooks, SD; 15 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister Dorothy (Stan) Piechowski of Breckenridge, MN; two sisters-in-law: Janette Howell and Doris Hicks; one brother-in-law Robert (Linda) Hicks; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers: Merle, Harold, Kenneth, Edward Jr., and Robert; one sister Marion Sorenson.