Harold Lee “Swede” Hawkins, 85, of Oakland NE

Harold Lee “Swede” Hawkins, age 85, of Oakland, Nebraska passed away December 11, 2017, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Memorial services will be on Saturday, December 16, 2017, 1 p.m. at the Oakland-Craig Elementary School Gymnasium with Military Honors to be be conducted following the service. Burial will be held in the Oakland Cemetery, Oakland, Nebraska at a later date. Memorial visitation will be held Friday from 5-7 p.m. with family receiving friends, at First United Methodist Church in Oakland. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland in charge of arrangements.

Harold Lee “Swede” Hawkins was born to Harold and Ileta (Kate DeVasure) Hawkins September 19, 1932, on a rural farm outside of Tekamah, Nebraska. Attending grade school in Decatur, he moved to Tekamah in the seventh grade where he remained through his high school graduation. He then attended Doane College, where he played football. In January 1951, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was deployed to Pusan, Korea as a soldier in the Korean War. On June 14, 1952 he sustained injuries from a grenade blast that resulted in his discharge in January 1954.

Upon returning to the United States, he enrolled at Midland College, met MaryAnn Wesely, later playing football in the fall. They married June 4, 1955. After marriage and graduation, he taught school for 37 years (8 years at Creighton and 29 years at Oakland/Oakland-Craig), retiring in 1994.

Over the years, he was a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal. Swede was probably most proud of his successful career as a golf coach, which will culminate in his induction into the NHSACA Hall of Fame in June 2018.

Swede and MaryAnn enjoyed their later years exploring the 50 states, visiting National Parks, the Czech Republic and enjoying their ever-growing family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Betty, Gerald, Tom, Jean and Patty.

He is survived by his wife, MaryAnn; five children: Kirk (Gail) Hawkins, Carol (Dave) Krick, Robin Hawkins, Lee Anne (Brad) Simpson and Spencer (Laura) Hawkins all of Omaha; three sisters, Ila (Gary) Davis of Springfield, Harriet (Pat) Schafer of Tekamah and Peg (Randy) Doncheski of Lincoln; 13 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Swede Hawkins