Michael D. Hawkins

1950 - 2024

Michael D. Hawkins

July 1, 1950 - November 24, 2024

Michael Dean Hawkins, age 74, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Mike was born on July 1st, 1950, in Omaha, NE, to Donald and Marjory (Hoagland) Hawkins. He was the third oldest of 11, growing up in Carter Lake, IA, and graduating in 1968 from Thomas Jefferson High School. Mike proudly served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1973. He then spent his entire career working as a pipefitter for Union Pacific Railroad, first in Omaha, NE, then Salt Lake City, UT, and finally in Hershey, NE, retiring in 2010. He was very happy to spend the last decade of his life back in Carter Lake among most of his large, loving family and close friends. Mike loved the outdoors, and spent many of his younger years camping, canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing. His time in Utah kicked off the annual "Ski Week" where for nearly three decades, family and friends would come from near and far every February to hit the slopes and to have a great time. Mike met his wife Michele in Utah, and they were married in 1993 until she lost her battle with cancer in 2022. He also loved to garden and cook. His annual tomato harvest would get you a jar of salsa, and he couldn't wait to share his barbeque sauce and strawberry rhubarb pie. He never missed morel mushroom hunting season in the spring. Mike enjoyed watching movies and listening to his record collection (especially Pink Floyd), shopping (or "picking") for his ridiculous t-shirts, cracking jokes, golfing with his brothers, breakfast with friends, and his weekly Thursday lunches with family. In addition to his parents and his wife Michele (Brown) Hawkins, Mike was preceded in death by his brother Donald "Terry" Hawkins, and brother John "Jack" Hawkins. Mike is survived by his children: Joey (Shawn) Macken of Elkhorn, NE, Kara (Vince) Kuhl of Omaha, NE, and Michael (Erin) Hawkins of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and eight amazing brothers and sisters. He is also survived by his constant companion "Hawkeye" - his sweet little dog who kept his lap warm and provided him much comfort in the final years of his life.

Visitation with the family, Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Funeral service, Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Carter Lake Presbyterian Church. Lunch will immediately follow at the church. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m., in Omaha National Cemetery. Military rites will be tendered by the Kanesville Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warriors, Carter Lake Presbyterian Church or the Carter Lake Community Center.