Russell Hicks

Russell Hicks, age 96, of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
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 was held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 26 at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.

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

Interment with military honors followed at the Kadoka Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
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