Peggy Hauk

of Grindstone, South Dakota, died on Thursday, March 30, 2023
at Scotchman Living Center in Philip at the age of 92

Margaret Louise (Clark) Hauk, better known as Peggy, was born to William and Myrtle (Johnson) Clark, on June 3, 1930, in Wall, South Dakota. She was the oldest of six children. She lived on the family farm southwest of Wall until they moved to Wall in 1936. She attended Wall Schools, graduating in 1949. After getting her teaching certificate from Black Hills Teacher College, she taught at the Plainview School northeast of Quinn.

Peggy married George Hauk on June 7, 1950. To this union four sons were born: David, Douglas, Wendel “Dan”, and Duane. There were four cornerstones to Peggy’s Life. These cornerstones included her family, her gardens, cooking, and enjoying kids, especially her grandkids.

Peggy loved her garden and her flowers. One of her favorite stories was about the summer she raised a 27 pound cabbage. Of course, water was always scarce in the house and outside. If there was a choice between doing the laundry and watering the garden, the garden won. What a blessing it was when rural water finally came. Before that water came, Peggy and Frank and Joy (George’s parents) put cedar trees in the shelter belts and planted and nurtured aisles and aisles of tulips between the rows of trees. They kept everything watered somehow. Summer after summer, her hollyhocks brightened the brown and sun-filled landscape. As time went on, she was continually interested in everyone’s garden even though she no longer had one of her own. “Have you ordered your seeds yet? What is being planted and where?”

Peggy was a wonderful cook and people flocked to her table for fried chicken (never mind the messy stove), vegetables drenched in real cream, and a meal complete with conversation. She knew that food made with love and flavor was a joy to the folks around the table and the best remedy for loneliness, grief, and most other human conditions.

George and her four boys were everything to her. All her considerable energy was expended to make their lives more interesting, more pleasant, and more fun. Her “family” expanded to include kids, brothers, sisters, in-laws, out-laws, and everybody in-between. All children were important to her. In her opinion any day was a good day to go fly kites, go fishing, walk down the lane to the cottonwoods, or just talk, if it involved kids.

Housework did not hold a candle to kid stuff. Children were never extra work for her; there would be time to “dung out” when kids were gone. Who else had coveralls in ten different child sizes, so no kid went out to play in the cold without protection and no kid had to worry about their own clothes. Who else kept a large basket filled with small candy bars that were never counted, just enjoyed? Who else baked the biggest and most delicious sugar cookies in the world? Who else NEVER complained about mud being drug in, coats littering the floor, or small farms and all the equipment needed, on the living room floor? Nobody! And every child knew it and loved her for doing those things. Nearly every child she knew learned to drive on the little field between the house and the largish mud puddle to the east of the house. What a great place to gain some skills without fear. And the puddle was a muddy and shallow place to practice swimming and enjoy the mud!

Situations that would have caused consternation in other places raised a grin of understanding at Peggy’s house. “How else are they going to learn?” she would remark. When things got tough, her continual reminder was, “Now children, remember we are from hardy pioneer stock.”

Her front step was continually littered with kittens. It seemed that all the mother cats knew her nature too, and brought their children to her. As her children and kids of that age grew older, they were like the mother cats. They brought their children “home” to her, bringing joy to all.

In her later years, one of her biggest joys was going to the Hills to the “family’s” cabins. The good times continued with new kids, new stories, and sharing the old, great stories.

One of her favorite phrases was, “Now George, you know I love you dearly, BUT…” That phrase always brought a grin to everyone within hearing distance. All of us who had the blessing of her life will continue to hear her voice in our hearts and minds, bringing us joy forever.

Survivors include three sons: Doug (Fay) Hauk of Philip, Dan (Cindy) Hauk of Wall, and Duane (J'Nai) Hauk of Quinn; a daughter-in-law Roxanne Hauk of Quinn; grandchildren: Mike (Tracy) Hauk and their sons Jaxon and Jhett; Lisa (J.D.) Wendt and their children Jaelyn, Macey, Taylor, and KC; Tyler Hauk; Brennan Hauk; Rachelle Hauk (Casey Elshere) and their children Ashlynn, Lainey, and Cade; Amy (Dallas) Madsen and their daughter Paisley; Dana (Michael) Luedeman and their children Mikaylee Joy, Daniel and Margaret; Allen (Lauren) Hauk and their girl Tinsley; and Jordan Hauk; two sisters Evelyn Rush of Anchorage, Alaska, and Matilda "Tillie" Meyers of San Jose, CA; two sisters-in-law: Kathy Clark Furrey and Sharon Dodge; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband George on December 18, 2010; son David Hauk; parents; brothers John and William "Bill" Clark; and sister Patricia Schmidt.

A memorial has been established to the Haakon County Prairie Transportation. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 434 Philip, SD 57567.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, April 7, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.

Private family interment will take place at a later date at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

VISITATION
Thursday, April 6, 2023 - 5-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Friday, April 7, 2023 - 1:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney

MUSIC
Cory Elshere - Anita Sandal
“In The Garden”
“Amazing Grace”

USHERS
Larry Gabriel - Gerry Sloat

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Peggy was a real pioneer and left a legacy of strength and determination. Our sympathy to the family and may memories make your loss less.
   ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (4/6/2023)
Peggy was always so kind to me. I wished I could have spent more time with her as a kid and as an adult. She reminded me so much of my mom, Vernita, and Grandma Christina.
   ~ Loretta White Miami (1/11/2024)
Peggy was such a wonderful lady. She was one of a kind and always greeted us with a smile and a "how are things in Grindstone?". She will be missed but I know she is celebrating in heaven. Hugs to all of you.
   ~ Tucker and Jess Smith Grindstone (4/6/2023)
Sending my sympathy and prayers at the loss of your mother.
   ~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour, SD (4/6/2023)
We are thinking of you folks during this difficult time. We all know that she is in a better place. We have a lot of memories when we were on NMB with her and George, fun times. Hold on to the memories
   ~ Les and Joann Pearson Philip (4/6/2023)
What a wonderful lady. Our condolences go out to all the Hauk family.
   ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction, CO (4/6/2023)
Dear Hauk Families - Thinking of you all and sending big hugs while sharing in your grief. Peggy was an Angel among us and my life is better because of her! She was a wonderful friend and it was an honor to care for her! What a happy reunion it must have been when she met Jesus and is no longer in pain! Thank you for sharing her with us and what an honor to care for her! Hugs, Michelle, Katie and Lukas VanderMay
Kelcey & John

   ~ Michelle VanderMay Philip (4/6/2023)

Flowers

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Grossenburg Implement - Philip Location
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Kadoka Nursing Home Staff, Residents, and Board of Directors
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The Burns Kids
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Tawney Brunsch
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Philip Health Services TLC and Board of Directors
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Super 8 Motel
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Roxanne
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Rebecca Essen Shanna Williams
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Dakota Country Pharmacy
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The Clarks
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Family - "Grandma"
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Scotchman Living Center
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Family - "Great-Grandma"
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Kent and Steph Kjerstad
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Cathy, Norman, Peter, and Emily
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Gale, Tammie, Emie, Nick, Shelby, and Justus
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Linda White Cooper and Family
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TJ and Paisley
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Doug and Justine Estes
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Beth and Norman Klamfoth
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Tillie and Family
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Wall Economic Development
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Gottsleben Families
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Lori and Judi
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Lou Ann and Family Janet and Family
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PeeWee, Peggy, Toby, Marty, Cheryl, Jared, and Families
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Evie and Family
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Wolberg Family
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Phillip and Trish
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Pippert Family
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Gilbert, Shannon, Griffin, and Eva Grooms
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John, Doug, Julie, and Andy
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Joe and Betty Barrie Families
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City of Wall