Russell Hicks

Russell Hicks, age 96, of Marvin, SD, passed away on April 29, 2020, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020,  from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, limiting to 10 people at a time to protect the health and safety of all as recommended by state and local authorities and the CDC. Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available with the obituary on our website. Private family services will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.  Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate, and burial with military honors will be at Osceola #1 Cemetery in Marvin . The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable on our website, on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Friends are welcome to drive in procession with the family to Osceola #1 Cemetery in Marvin, meeting at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. and stay in their cars during the committal service.

Casket bearers will be: Gary Wasmund, Matthew Hicks, Adam Dashiell, Brian Buttke, David Hicks, and Thomas Hicks.  Honorary bearers will be Russell’s “crew” – his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Russell Hicks was born on May 20, 1923, in Marvin, SD.  He was the son of Harry and Annette (Holmes) Hicks.  He grew up in the Marvin area and attended school at Osceola #1 and Milbank High School.  Russell served in the United States Army, enlisting on October 17, 1945.  He was awarded the Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal – Germany.  Russell was honorably discharged on April 18, 1947.

Russell returned to South Dakota.  He was united in marriage with Mavis Eleanore Howell on a hot 107 degree day, August 10, 1947, in Sisseton, SD. Russell continued his career in farming in the Marvin area.  He went into the manufacturing business and co- founded H&W Manufacturing.  He designed and built farm machinery and did general welding and machinery repair. He worked as a dispatcher for Grant County Sheriff’s Department for 12 years.  He retired and went back to farming!

Russell was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot.  He enjoyed hunting.  He and Mavis loved to dance!  Russell was an inventor and carpenter.  He proudly built their first home and could fix or build just about anything. He and Mavis enjoyed winters in Texas and enjoyed meeting many new friends.  He was a member and past commander of the American Legion, Drake-Sorbel Post #64 and a member of the VFW.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: James (Debra) Hicks of Wilmot, SD; Teresa (David) Dashiell of Twin Brooks, SD; Susan (Brian) Buttke of Corona, SD; Michael (Rachel) Hicks of Marvin, SD; and Patrick (LaDonna) Hicks of Twin Brooks, SD; 18 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Linda) Hicks of Indian Trail, NC; sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Stan) Piechowski of Breckenridge, MN; and Jeanette Howell of Williamsburg, IA; and special friend, Donna Karr of Redfield, SD. Russell was preceded in death by his parents: Harry and Annette Hicks; his wife, on September 3, 2012, Mavis; one daughter, Cheryl Hicks Eiring and husband William “Bill” Eiring; two brothers: Philip and John; and sister-in-law, Doris Hicks.