Evonne Hickok Obituary

Evonne Rose Hickok, age 85, widow of the late Homer Hickok, and longtime resident of Austin, MN, passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on June 12, 2025, while at St. John’s on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, MN.

Evonne was born October 28, 1939, in Blue Earth, MN, the daughter of Robert and Carolyn (Dobson) Hawley. The oldest of six children, she graduated from Blue Earth High School before moving to Owatonna, MN, to work for Federated Mutual Insurance. It was after her time there that she married Homer, her beloved husband of almost 65 years, and was soon promoted to busy full-time mother. Evonne found tremendous joy in creating a happy and loving home for Homer and their three daughters. After many years of being a homemaker, she returned to work and enjoyed the many people she met while working in the business office at Johnson Floral and later retiring from American Family Insurance.

Evonne left a legacy of love for the Lord and steadfast faith in Him with her family and all who were blessed to know her. She gave her life to God as a teen and loved Him, faithfully trusting Him through all the seasons of life. She served quietly behind the scenes wherever needed in many different ministries throughout her years as a faithful member of First Baptist Church, now Grace Baptist Church, of Austin.

There are not enough words to describe Evonne’s love as a mother. She was a selfless and steadfast caregiver for her daughter, Kim, for over 50 years and was a constant source of love, inspiration, advice and wise council to every member of her family throughout the years. She has left a beautiful legacy of love for God and family with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and for that we are forever grateful.

Survivors include her daughters, Pamela (John) Riley and Susan (Jerome) Lewis; seven grandchildren, Nic (Lexi) Riley, Jill Riley, Nate Riley, Joy (Tyler) Scholl, Noelan Riley, Katie (Jordan) Harris and Andrew (Claire) Lewis; six great-grandchildren, Louis Riley, Cecilia Evonne Rose Riley, Johwi Riley, Joshua Riley, Benjamin Harris, Holly Harris and Margot Lewis. She is also survived by her siblings, Terry Hawley, Karen Koestler, John Hawley, and Robert Hawley. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her daughter, Kimberly Ann Hickok; and her brother, Billy Hawley.

The family wishes to thank her wonderful caregivers at St. John’s for the loving and compassionate care they gave Evonne during the four years she was a resident there. She truly loved them and counted them as dear friends. The family also wishes to thank the many friends and family who visited and/or corresponded with Evonne during this time.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin with Pastor Dan Mielke officiating. Visitation and reception will follow the service.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26