By Rachel Engel
EMS1 Staff
YANKTON, S.D. — A county EMS administrator died on Dec. 23 after a five-year cancer battle, on the same day his wife lost her own battle with cancer.
Steve Hawkins, 58, was hired as Yankton County EMS administrator in 2009. Prior to that, he served as a paramedic in Cody, Wyoming, and at Yellowstone National Park.
Hawkins’ wife, Wendy, also died on Dec. 23, shortly after her own cancer diagnosis.
The Hawkins leave behind three grown children: Brad, Mandi and Trent.
Plans for a memorial service later next year are underway; a GoFundMe has been set up to assist the family with funeral expenses for the couple.