Donnita Hicks, age 87 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Donnita Marie Hutchinson was born on June 11, 1935, one of fourteen children to parents Joe and Eva (Cheney) Hutchinson in Sac City. She was a lifelong member of the First
Christian Church where she was baptized. Donnita attended school in Sac City and graduated with Sac City High School’s Class of 1953. 

   On September 19, 1953, Donnita married the love of her life, Everett Hicks in Storm Lake, IA. This union was blessed with three children, Pamela, Denis, and Cynthia. Together they raised their family in Sac City where Donnita worked in the downtown district at Sernetts, Coast-to-Coast for twenty-two years, and then at Stewards Clothing. After retiring, Donnita ran the Meals on Wheels program at the Senior Citizens Center in Sac City for a few years, a job that she really enjoyed as it meant being out and around people again.

   Donnita and Everett enjoyed doing so many things together throughout their lifetime. They absolutely loved to dance. Square dancing was at the top of their list and as members of the Night Owls, they
traveled to area legion halls that held square dance events. They eventually took up line dancing as well. The two of them, along with their friends, enjoyed nights out at places like Lakewood Ballroom and the Indian Village. They were always outside together whether it was tending to their flowers or keeping up on yardwork, they made a great team.

   Donnita came from a large family, as did Everett. Family was always very important to the two of them and going on trips to visit extended family was always something they looked forward to. They drove to Deadwood, SD, every year where Everett’s brother lived. This vacation was always a fun time as the kids all got to play with their cousins…so many wonderful memories were made. They also enjoyed many trips to Arnold’s Park in the summer. Later on Everett and Donnita traveled to Mexico, Arizona, Branson, MO, and California. She was also able to travel to Washington to spend time with one of her sisters. Donnita was so very proud of her children and grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. She was an amazing mother who was great at listening. Together she and Everett provided a home full of love for their children and that is something each of her kids will be forever grateful for. It must also be noted that she was for sure the ‘favorite aunt’.

   Donnita served in the Ruth Group at church, was a member of the Women’s Legion Auxiliary, and was a Wa Tan Ye member. She liked crocheting and also enjoyed creating artwork using acrylic paint on
fabric. She was a great cook/baker who made great meals for her family. The kids always looked forward to Sunday meals, especially, and after they were grown and had their own families, Donnita continued to host all the special holiday meals. At Christmastime she made the best fudge and bing candy.

   Donnita’s life was one that was fully lived. She was such a sweet, caring, thoughtful lady whose memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. Rest assured she is celebrating that life well lived up in Heaven now alongside her beautiful baby girl and ever so loving husband. Her last words were “Everett, your elbow is in my back” a sign that he was indeed there, ready to welcome Donnita to their eternal home together, in paradise.

   Left to cherish Donnita’s memory include her children, Pamela (Allen) Beckman of Odebolt, IA, and Denis (Sue) Hicks of Doniphan, NE; grandchildren: Casey Beckman, Jesse (Molly) Beckman, Mark Beckman, Kayla Hicks, Kinsi Jacobitz, Kelsi Hicks, Barb (Travis) Worford, Gary (Lori) Brandon, and Danny (fiancé Shelly Greiss) Brandon; great-grandchildren: Jenna, Tyler, Chloe, Navy, Aaron, Kali, Kiernan, Kristina, Trevor, Bianca, Emily, Bennett and Marley; brother-in-law Neal Hanke of Topeka, KS; sisters-in-law Charolette Hutchinson of Sac City, IA, Lois Hale of Dakota City, IA, Donna Hutchinson of MO, Darlene Hicks of Deadwood, SD, and Donna Hicks of Sioux Rapids, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended
family members and friends.

   She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Hicks; infant daughter Cynthia Hicks; and siblings: Everett Hutchinson, Eugene Hutchinson, Norma Ripley, Virgil Hutchinson, Adah Bauer, Maurine Stanford, Keith Hutchinson, Paul Hutchinson, Charlotte Moore, Dickie Hutchinson, and triplets Robert Hutchinson, Betty Hanke, and Billy Hutchinson.