Howard Hawkinson, 55, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Friday, July 1, 2005 near Sterling, ND as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at the Black River Lutheran Church, rural St. Hilaire, MN with Rev. Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will follow in the Black River Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Howard Wesley Hawkinson was born on February 16, 1950 to Lowell Harry and Vernice Helen (Priebe) Hawkinson in Thief River Falls, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Black River Lutheran Church. He grew up and was raised in Bray Township, Pennington County and attended school in St. Hilaire, MN, graduating from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1968.

In Howards younger years, he worked at Arctic Cat and as a farm hand for St. Hilaire area farmers. He was united in marriage to Candy Dial and to this union two sons were born, Shaun and Seth. Howard started his own construction business called Hawk Builders, which he has operated for the past 25 years. He has built many garages, shingled many roofs, and remodeled many homes around Thief River Falls. In November of 1991 Howard and Marlene Johnson began dating and have been together ever since.

Howard in his younger years played softball with the St. Hilaire Bears, played guitar, and later went on to enjoy motorcycling, watching the Minnesota Vikings and movies. Howard was dedicated to his business and spent many evenings and weekends working on his construction projects. Howard was a skilled mechanic who could build and repair machinery.

Howard is survived by his beloved partner Marlene Johnson, Thief River Falls, MN; 2 sons, Shaun and Seth Hawkinson, Thief River Falls, 1 sister Kathy Panek, Goodridge, MN; and two aunts and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

ORGANIST: Ruthie Mosbeck
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Go Rest High on that Mountain
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Just As I Am
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Mike Hamm, Craig Folkedahl
CASKETBEARERS: Shaun Hawkinson, Seth Hawkinson, Curtis Swanson, Lyle Swanson, Paul Hager, Guy Kruse, Steve Panek