Shellie Hawkins

Shellie Marie Klein Hawkins of Pella was born in Oskaloosa on October 23, 1960, to Carolyn Crozier Klein and Perry Glen Klein, Sr. The second of three children, she was known in her family for her refusal to follow her older brother’s instructions and determination to keep her younger sister in line. She began working in her mother’s restaurant, West End Café, when she was 14 and could do every job there, from cashier to clean-up crew. In high school, she excelled as a basketball forward, softball pitcher, and shotput and discus thrower. She held the Pella High School discus record until just a few years ago.

Shellie graduated from Central College in 1983. On June 18, 1983, she was united in marriage to Richard Hawkins at First Reformed Church in Pella. The couple were blessed with two children, Andrew and Nicole. Their home was always filled with the happy energy of their dogs — a chocolate lab and a succession of dachshunds. Shellie also enjoyed playing cards with friends, quilting, biking, traveling, following Cyclone sports, and mushroom hunting with her dad.

Shellie handled internal orders and customer service for Schiebout Tire Company (later US AutoForce), where she worked from age 16 until the week before she entered hospice care. Her co-workers recall her as a determined problem-solver. Her nieces and nephews will remember her funny, sharp-witted comments about whatever was going on around them. To her children, she was gentle, loving and reliable, always. She was also unwavering in her expectation that they work hard, pay their bills and get there on time.

She is survived by her son Andy (Christina) Hawkins of Des Moines, her daughter Nikki Hawkins of Pella, her parents Perry and Carolyn Klein of Pella; her brother Perry (Ann) Klein Jr. of Des Moines, sister Sheryl (Rod) Van Genderen of Pella, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law: Norman (Shelley) Hawkins of Ames, Iowa, Bob (Beth) Hawkins of Newton, Iowa, and Timothy Hawkins of Gainesville, Florida.

Shellie was preceded in death by her husband Dick Hawkins, her maternal grandparents Floyd and Velma Crozier, her paternal grandparents Gerrit and Josie Klein, and her parents-in-law Lorraine Hawkins and Irene Hawkins Mitchel.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.