Marjorie Marie Hawkinson

Marjorie Hawkinson passed away Monday, May 20, 2024 at her home in Pine City at the age of 96.

Marjorie Marie Smith was born March 13, 1928 to Willard and Mary (Currie) Smith in Tobias, Nebraska.  Marjorie was raised on a farm in Nebraska.  She had two older brothers and two younger sisters.  Marjorie and her siblings had to milk cows in the morning before they could go to school. When she was in the ninth grade, and just prior to Pearl Harbor, the family bought a farm in Brook Park. Her father said they moved from the driest county in Nebraska to the wettest county in Minnesota.

In 1948, Marjorie met and married Kenneth Hawkinson; they lived on the farm where Kenneth grew up.  Together they raised three children; Richard, Cory and Barbara.  They had dairy cows for many years, rather than updating their dairy operation they switched to feeder cattle.  "I said I would never marry a farmer," Marjorie declared.  "Then I went and married a farmer." Marge wanted to retire from farming, but Kenneth wasn't budging.  She told the story, "we were at the mortuary for a friend's visitation; while there visiting she said "I just can't get him off that farm."  Much to her surprise Kenneth overheard her and said I will not  spend one more winter on the farm.  In 2011, they sold the family farm and found an apartment in Pine City.

Marjorie was employed with the school district as the high school principal "secretary" for 3 years and as a clerk for the Pine County Court system for 30 years.  Over the years she also worked in the elementary school nurse's office and at the Sears Catalog store. Marjorie retired at the age of 70, but she didn't really retire.  She continued her routine of visiting nursing homes and folks that were homebound armed with tapes, bulletins, and devotional materials just as she had done for many years.  During the Covid shut down; she knew how very difficult it was for nursing homes, assisted living residents and the homebound folks.  She knew how lonesome so many were and how great the need for comfort company was. 

Life has been good to me, you know there are hard times, but, I'm blessed to have my health, family, and friends.  I'm the only one of my siblings left, I'm here for some reason, just haven't figured it out yet. 

Marge is survived by her daughter Barbara Tritch; son Cory Hawkinson; daughter-in-law Evelyn Hawkinson (Quincy); grandchildren Steven (Jovelyn) Hawkinson, Kathleen (Troy) Waldren, Carl (Cassie) Hawkinson, Kenneth Tritch, Hailey Kanada, Heather Kanada, Erik Kanada; great-grandchildren Troy Waldren, Shaelynn Waldren, Raeann Rosso, Amber (Michael) Schultes, Giselle Hawkinson; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Mary Smith; husband Kenneth Hawkinson; son Richard "Dick" Hawkinson; brothers Maurice Smith and Harold Wayne Smith; sisters Doris Cowger and Shirley Haas.

Pastor Dan Brendsel will officiate funeral services for Marge: 11 AM; Saturday (6/1) at the First Presbyterian Church in Hinckley.  A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-8:00 PM Friday (5/31) at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will take place at Hilltop Cemetery in Pine City.

In lieu of flowers donations in Marge's memory may be directed to:Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge2 E 2nd StreetDuluth, MN 55802or First Presbyterian Church 1813 Fire Monument Road Hinckley, MN 55037

Arrangements for Marjorie Hawkinson are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com