Joshua Edward Hauk was born December 27, 1979, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the second of three children born to Richard and Karla (Ruckdaschel) Hauk. He was an aunt and grandmother’s delight as a child because he loved to be held and rocked. He grew up and received his education in Wall, graduating from Wall High School in 1999. While growing up, he spent of lot of time with his brothers in the Badlands, and enjoyed camping with his uncle Curt and hiking with his uncle Colin.

After graduation, he attended the Art Institute of Minneapolis and graduated with a Graphic Art Multimedia Degree. After graduation, Josh worked for Rambow, Inc. in New London, Minnesota, and later worked with his father at the Hauk Properties in Wall. Josh then moved to Philip where he worked for Cattle Business Weekly. He later moved to Williston, North Dakota where he worked for “The Shopper” newspaper as well as The Sign Shop. Josh most recently worked as a graphic artist for Noteboom Motors in Miles City, Montana. Through it all, he had his own company, Badlands Graphics, as a side job. Josh’s employers marveled at his ability to create and manipulate graphics as needed. When Josh took the time to create his own art, he liked to draw and paint fantastic scenes, full of vibrancy and color.

Josh was gentle, kind, and artistic. He enjoyed giving cool little gifts to his nieces and nephews when he saw them. Josh loved animals, especially cats and the pets he had throughout his life, including lizards, hedgehog, spiders, tarantulas, and praying mantises to name a few. Josh was a deeply caring individual, and loved his family so much and cherished those good times especially holidays, when the family would get together.

Survivors include his mother Karla (Ruckdaschel) Hauk of Trenton, North Dakota; two brothers and their families: Jeremy Richard Hauk and his wife Jessica of Williston, ND and their children Maggie, Molly, and Sauntee; and Jesse Franklin Hauk of Sturgis and his children Lainie and Sam; maternal grandfather Jay Ruckdaschel of Hopking, MN; paternal grandmother Nancy Hauk of Rapid City; a special friend Danae Adair and her children Kylah, Masique, Ricky, and Brianna; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Josh was preceded in death by his father Richard Hauk on July 23, 2020; his great-grandpa Edward Klicker; great-grandma Hattie (Sibbers) Klicker; great-grandpa Ralph Ruckdaschel; great-grandma Violet (Johnston) Ruckdaschel; grandma Margaret (Klicker) Ruckdaschel; paternal grandma Donna (Hemmness) Shelton; paternal grandpa Max Hauk; two great-aunts Elaine (Klicker) Loesch; and Barb (Ruckdaschel) Bollig.

There will be a visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 125 Trenton, ND 58853