Loren Thomas Hawkinson

April 23, 1936- Aug. 29, 2006

STRATTON -- Loren Thomas Hawkinson, 70, died Tuesday (Aug. 29, 2006) at Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo.

He was born April 23, 1936, to Andrew and Adda (Strickler) Hawkinson on the family's homestead south of Stratton, in Hitchcock County.  He attended school in Stratton and was a member of the graduating class at Stratton High School in 1955.  After graduation, Loren went on to attend Parks School of Business Administration in Denver, Colo., where he earned his Associates Degree.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army in January of 1960 and served his country in Germany until receiving his honorable discharge in March of 1962.  Loren then returned to Stratton to farm.

On Sept. 22, 1963, he married Wilma Penn at the Methodist Church in Stratton.  They raised their family on the family farm south of Stratton.  After his retirement in 1988, He was elected as Hitchcock County Assessor in 1988 and served in that position until his term expired in 1992.  He then gained employment at the U.S. Post Office, Village of Stratton, and at United Methodist Church, where he maintained facilities and did custodial work.

He was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, the VFW, and Justice Lodge No. 180 A.F. & A.M.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Adda Hawkinson.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma Hawkinson of Stratton; children, Gloria Duvel and husband, Mel of Benkelman, Avis Pierce and husband, Ken of Kearney, Deb Hubl and husband, Larry of Stratton, Glenda Shepherd and husband, John of McCook, Dean Hawkinson and wife, Lisa of Payton, Colo.; brother, Art and wife, Willa Mae of Grove, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, 11 a.m., at Community Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow services at Rose Hill Cemetery near Stratton.

Visitation is today, 3-6 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton.