Russell Hicks Obituary

Russ was born on April 29, 1922, to Ross and Cuma Hicks in Brookings County, South Dakota. Russ moved to the Kadoka area with his parents at the age of 8 along with one brother, Melvin, and two sisters, Deloris and Mildred.

Russ grew up in the Kadoka area. He attended Warner Country Grade School and Kadoka High School. After graduating high school in 1940, he attended welding school in Sioux City, Iowa before moving to Bay City, Michigan to work at Defo Shipyard. In 1942, Russ enlisted in the United States Navy. For 16 weeks he attended the United States Navy Training School in Kansas earning the status of Machinist’s Mate. He served in the Pacific throughout World War II aboard the USS Sheridan and the USS Whiteside as a Water Tender First Class. After being discharged from the Navy on March 24, 1946, Russ returned home and married Eunice Nelson on December 16, 1950, in Rapid City, South Dakota. They had three sons, Newton, Joseph, and Theodore.

While raising a family of three boys and ranching northeast of Kadoka, Russ and Eunice led the Flat Top 4-H Club for 30+ years. Russ was active in the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka where he served as an elder. Russ was a 50-year member of Mount Moriah Lodge in Kadoka and also served on the Kadoka Equity Union Elevator Board of Directors for many years. Russ especially enjoyed spring branding and fall gathering. Amazingly he rode his horse until age 88.

He is survived by three sons; Newton of Utica, Joseph of Midland, and Theodore (Arlene) of Kadoka; five grandchildren, Kassie, Jarred, Nate (Kristen), Matt, and Elizabeth (Jon) Graber; one sister Deloris Ekstrom of Denver, Colorado; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by wife Eunice, parents Ross and Cuma, brother Melvin, sister Mildred Young, and daughter-in-law Carol Hicks.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 26 at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 27 at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Service Details

VISITATION
Friday, October 26 - 5-7 p.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, October 27, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Ken Toews

MUSIC
Karen Toews - Pianist
Congregational Hymn
"Onward Christian Soldiers"

USHERS
Wes Enders - Matt Whidby - Chip Mitchell

PALLBEARERS
Jarred Hicks - Kassie Hicks - Matt Hicks
Nate Hicks - Kristen Hicks - Liz Graber - Jon Graber

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Guest Book

We were very sorry to hear of Russ's death. He was a long time member of the church and resident of Kadoka. Solomon writes, "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing." We will miss him.
~ Gary McCubbin Wadsworth, Ohio (10/21/2018)

Russ was a great man, and will be missed by all that even had a passing moment with him! I was lucky enough to have known him for a long time and will definitely miss seeing and visiting with him. His wit and sense of humor were a big part of his personality along with his compassion for friends and relatives! REST IN PEACE old Friend!
~ Dan Uhrig Philip, SD (10/21/2018)

My sympathy to the family . I don't know when I didn't know Russ.
~ Elaine Staben Bozeman , MT (10/20/2018)

Sending our thoughts and Prayers your way.
~ Bruce and Bonnie Madsen Kadoka S.D. (10/19/2018)

Flowers

Bruce and Bonnie Madsen and Families

Kadoka Oil and Discount Fuel - Mark and Tammy Carlson and Family

The Oien Family - Joy and Family, Paul and Family, and Butch

Matt and Trish Whidby and Families

Bernie and Myrna Hunhoff

The Veal Family

Kadoka Area School Staff, Administration, and School Board

George, Tim, Toni, and Family

Scott and Arla Patterson, Nicholas and Marylynn Patterson and Family, Preston and Bailey Patterson and Family, Skyler and Whitney Patterson and Family, and Lane