Lyle Richard Hawker, known to his family and friends as Bob, was born to Herman and Hattie Hawker in Mapleton, Minn. on Feb. 14, 1923. He grew up there with his two brothers and three sisters.

On May 22, 1946, Bob married the love of his life, Vanda Jensen, at Minnesota Lake, Minn. They made their first home in Albert Lea, Minn. and Bob was employed at the packing plant there. When he began working on the pipeline, they moved constantly and traveled extensively throughout the central and southern United States. They settled in Newport, Minn. in 1960, and in 1982 made their final move to rural Rush City, Minn. That has been home for them ever since.

Until retiring at age 65, Bob spent most of his life working as a welder. He was proud to be a member of Pipefitters Local 455.

Bob enlisted in the United States Navy at the tender age of 16, too young to vote but extremely proud to serve his country. He was just as proud to be a World War II veteran and loved telling stories of his days in the navy and aboard the ship he served on, the USS Indiana. He loved serving his country and was proud to show it.

Bob was an active member of both the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion in Rush City, and was a beloved member of Fish Lake Lutheran Church in Harris, Minn. He filled his days with numerous things he enjoyed doing, such as tinkering around in his garage and always fixing or welding something. Helping others was always on the top of his list. He spent little time at the casino, but rarely missed the breakfasts and afternoon coffee time with his buddies. He surrounded himself with his family, never missing a single event and never too far away from his little white pup, Happy.

Bob passed away at his home on Jan. 2, 2006, a few weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. He had just celebrated Christmas surrounded by his family, and also the birth of his second great-great-grandchild.

He is survived by his daughter, Dixie Logue of Harris, Minn.; son and daughter-in-law, James and Mary Kanneman of St. Paul Park, Minn.; grandchildren: Shane ìOpieî (Annette) Logue, Katrina (Luis) Thompson, Christian (Paula) Logue, Shannon (Lisa) Logue, Marty Herman, and Christopher Kanneman; great-grandchildren: Annie Laurie, Amanda, Heidi, James, Blake, Shelbi, Shawn, Drew, and Lucas; great-great-grandchildren: Jamillia and Landon; sisters: Sue Kaduce
of Fairmont, Minn. and Ledra Taylor of North Mankato, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Hattie Hawker, his wife Vanda, his son Charles, great grandson Darby, two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at Fish Lake Lutheran Church in Stark, Minn. with the Reverend Dale Stiles officiating.
The organist for the service was LaDonna Olson and soloist Jenni Olson. Casket bearers included Opie Logue, Shannon Logue, Christian Logue, Chris Kanneman, Blake Schellbach and Jim Thompson,. Military rites were provided by the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692 and the Rush City American Legion Post #93. Interment was at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City.

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