Carolyn Hickens, age 79, of Huron, died Sunday, January 1, 2017, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service was held at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 9th at the First United Methodist Church. Entombment was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum.
Carolyn Ann Miller was born in Huron on December 10, 1937, to Lloyd and Pauline (Brandmire) Miller. They moved to Willow Lake in 1939, where her father managed the gas and oil company. In 1946, the family moved back to Huron and took over Paul Brandmire's farm.
Carolyn attended Huron High School, graduating in 1955. She worked at the Humphrey Drug Store behind the soda fountain. After graduation she attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Pierre.
She worked for several years at the Valet Cleaners and as a nurse's aide in the St. John's Hospital in Huron. She married Richard Vitters in 1965. During that time they lived in Wolsey for two years. They later divorced.
She married Paul Hickens in 1975. They lived in Huron where she worked part time as a hostess at the Plains Coffee Shop.
She enjoyed knitting, homemaking and had a spotless house. She loved beautiful flowers and jewelry. She especially loved Christmas and enjoyed buying gifts for her family. Her home was filled with beautiful clocks chiming about five minutes apart so she could enjoy listening to each one separately.
She survived polio as a child, breast cancer in 1990 and lung cancer in 1995. Her husband, Paul, passed away from cancer on July 4, 1998.
Carolyn loved her grandchildren dearly. Her home and room at SunQuest Healthcare Center were filled with photos.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; her stepson, Terry Hickens and her brother, Roger Miller.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughter, Tammy (Rocky) Mohr of Huron, and four grandchildren, Karly Eggleston, Cory Eggleston, Landon Mohr and Garret Mohr.
She is also survived by her stepchildren, Steve (Dixie) Hickens of Rapid City, Bonnie (Bill) Ruggeiri of Hot Springs and Maridell (Tom) Standish of Sioux City; step grandchildren, Cindi Fortin (Tip Breidenbach), Jamey (Brent) Welsch, Stephanie (Brad Sires) Hickens and Steven (Amanda) Hickens, all of Rapid City, Tara (Warren) Sirles of Hot Springs, Travis Hickens and Trevor Hickens; and eight step great-grandchildren.