A husband and wife in their 50s died of cancer within hours of each other just two days before Christmas.
Steve Hawkins, 58, and his ‘soulmate’ wife Wendy, 52, died from different forms of cancer at the same hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, on Friday.
The couple had three children who are now in their 20s - son Trenton said it had been a ‘tragic experience’ and praised his ‘wonderful parents’.
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Steve had been diagnosed with cancer almost five years ago while Wendy had faced a ‘short battle’ with the disease, according to a statement from Yankton County EMS, where Steve worked.
The statement, shared on social media, read: “With profound sadness we inform you that Yankton County EMS Administrator Steve Hawkins passed away on Friday, December 23rd, 2022 after battling cancer for nearly five years. He was 58.
“Steve was hired as our administrator in June, 2009. Before coming to Yankton, Steve was a Paramedic in Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park. He began his Paramedic career in San Diego, California.
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“In another sad turn of events, Steve's wife, Wendy Hawkins, also passed away on the same day, Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at age 52 after a short battle with cancer. Wendy was a devoted wife and mother who stayed at home to raise their three children, Brad, Mandi and Trent, who are now in their 20's.
“Brad and Trent are still living at home, while Mandi and her fiancé live in Iowa.”
It hasn’t been made clear which form of cancer Steve or Wendy had, but Steve’s sister, Kathy Hawkins-LaFollette, said they were different types.
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The post went on to say that a memorial service was planned but didn’t have a date as of yet. It also shared a GoFundMe link to help the family cover the cost of the funerals.
The page, which was set up by Trenton, has raised $18,000 in three days, which will go towards the costs of the funerals.
On the page, the couple's son wrote: “This has been a very tragic experience and my family and I are trying to come up with the funds to pay for two funerals. They were wonderful parents and took very good care of their family and I am trying to take care of them.”
Tributes have flooded in for the couple, with one friend calling the couple ‘kind souls with big hearts’.
Topics: US News
Claire Reid