Mrs. Ruth Esther Hawkins, age 93, of Hart, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2012. She was born June 16, 1918, in Duquense, Pennsylvania, to Rev. Emil and Nellie (Andersen) Benzon. She married Dr. Benjamin Hawkins on August 18, 1944, and he preceded her in death May 7, 1965. Mrs. Hawkins was employed as a school teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools. She was an active member of Hart United Methodist Church and was also a member of the Oceana Hospital Auxiliary. She served in the American Red Cross during World War II.

Ruth is survived by two daughters, Christine (David) Jensen of Hart and Karen Brown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; three sons, Ben (Barb) Hawkins of Grand Rapids,Minnesota, Lee (Marsha) Hawkins of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Brad (Cindy) Hawkins of Libertyville Township, Ohio; and fourteen grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, two brothers, Gilbert and Stanley Benzon, and a sister, Sylvia Anderson.

Memorial services for Mrs. Hawkins will be Friday, February 10, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Hart United Methodist Church in Hart with Rev. Rebecca Wieringa officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Hart Area Public Library or the Hart United Methodist Church. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.kingfuneralhome.net.