David A. Hankins

David Allen Hankins, a lifelong resident of Solon Springs, died at the home he built on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, surrounded by his family.

David was born May 2, 1941, in Superior, Wisconsin, to Glenn and Ruth (Bakken) Hankins. He graduated from St. Croix High School in 1959 and married Linda Anderson on October 9, 1971, in the St. Pius X Catholic Church. David grew up on the Bakken-Hankins dairy farm and continued farming until the late 1980’s. He worked multiple secondary jobs, including delivering coal, fuel oil for Flamang Oil Co., and mail in Solon Springs and Barnes, contracting for Lagae-Cosgrove and Rowe, milling lumber at the Hankins’ sawmill and owning/operating CC&B Worms. For 28 years, David drove school bus for Solon Springs School District, frequently volunteering as the trip driver in order to “be there for my kids” during their extra-curricular activities.  During the 1960s/70s, he was an accomplished dirt track race car driver, being ranked #1 at three regional tracks. He was inducted into the Superior Speedway Hall of Fame in 2009.  David had his private pilot’s license and flew small aircraft.  He was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, serving in a variety of ways, and was proud to have been the first person baptized in the fieldstone church building.  Dave’s favorite hobby was working outdoors cutting firewood. He enjoyed plowing snow for community members, serving on the Solon Springs Town Board as well as the Airport Commission, and being a member of the EAA.  He enjoyed giving of his time and frequently worked behind the scenes with the Solon Springs Lions Club, Douglas County 4-H, and doing odd projects for family.  David took time to teach his grandkids love of adventure, the outdoors, and speed.  David is remembered for his sense of humor and youthful spirit.

David is survived by his wife Linda, children- Colleen (Chuck) Bernu, Cloquet, MN; Connie (Jeremy) Kiecker, Plymouth, MN; Brian (Andi) Hankins, Solon Springs; 6 grandchildren- Johanna Bernu, Hayden and Amelia Kiecker, Brody, Taylor and Riley Hankins; brothers and sisters- Russell Hankins, Bellevue, NE; Loretta Howland, Zimmerman, MN; Dorothy (Gary) Swanson, Grand Forks, ND; Roger (Tia) Hankins, Solon Springs; mother-in-law- Carole Anderson, Solon Springs, life long friend Lloyd Radtke, and many other friends and extended family. 

David is preceded in death by his parents, brother Stanley and his wife Lois Hankins, sister Lois and her husband John Tenney, sister-in-law Jean Hankins, brother-in-law Paul Howland, and father-in-law Arvin Anderson.

Funeral services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Solon Springs, March 29, 2021, at 11AM with Celebration of Life Open House to follow at Hidden Greens Golf Course.  Masks required.  CDC social distancing recommendations followed.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (www.oslcsolon.org/giving or PO Box 227, Solon Springs, WI 54873).

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