Veanne (Quackenbush) Hawbaker

Veanne Hawbaker left this earth and rejoined her husband Harvey in heaven on October 18, 2021.

Veanne was born May 16, 1934 in Minot, ND, one of five children born to Bill & Lucille Quackenbush. The family would move to Peerless, where Veanne would graduate from high school. She also met her high school sweetheart Harvey at Peerless.

She married Harvey Hawbaker on August 3, 1957 and the two would go on to create a loving family. They had three children - Perry, Trish and Jim - eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. There was nothing more important to Veanne than her grandchildren, travelling the state constantly to spend time with them and attend their sporting events or concerts.

Harvey and Veanne moved to Shelby in 1960, where they became active community members while raising their children and beyond. Veanne made her living working in the insurance business, first with Bob Turner and later with his son Chuck. She spent many years with the Turner family, who had a great respect for her and also held a very special place in her heart.

She spent countless hours outside of work volunteering in her community, particularly at St. William’s Church. Veanne served her parish on the council, as a bookkeeper and during many special events. Harvey and Veanne were also recipients of the President’s award from the Chamber.

Veanne and her husband Harvey loved the Shelby Coyotes and were passionate supporters of the youth of the community. The couple could often be seen in their regular seats in the upper bowl at the gym, and Veanne continued to attend Coyote games up until her death. Her family is so thankful to her generous friends who helped her get to the gym to support the kids in person. When she couldn’t be there in person, Veanne still watched on live streams at the Heritage.

The community of Shelby, and her friends within it, were so dear to her.

Coffee at the Prairie Peddler could be counted among the best moments of her day, where she could tell stories, share pictures of grandkids and stay in touch with some of her closest friends.

She loved to socialize through games as well, and had a passion for playing cards and board games. Veanne excelled at card games, and even taught many of the youth in the community to play cribbage as a way to help them with math and quick thinking skills. Her grandkids all learned poker at a young age, and lost plenty of chips to their grandma.

After the passing of Harvey in 2019, she enjoyed her life at the Heritage and the connections she made with her neighbors and the staff. She always remained busy with some of her favorite activities - cards, bingo and puzzles.

In lieu of flowers the family would ask that donations be made to Shelby High School athletics, Toole County Education Foundation Scholarship, St. Williams Parish or organization of donor’s choice in her name.

Veanne is survived by her three children, Perry (Laurie) Hawbaker, Trish (Rick) Wagner, and Jim (Tracy) Hawbaker. She will be fondly remembered by her eight grandchildren, Mack (Megan) Hawbaker, Michael (Brianne) Hawbaker, Lucas (Haley) Wagner, Rachel (Clint) Barkell, Mitchell Hawbaker, Jackson (Taylor) Wagner, Bryce Hawbaker and Sydney Hawbaker; as well as her four great-grandchildren Finley, Cohen & Shaw Hawbaker, and Briggs Barkell.

She is also survived by her siblings, Margaret (Bob) Jones, Kay (Chuck) Foster, Bonnie (Rick) Hartman; her brothers-in-law, Eddie (Bonnie) Hawbaker, Jim (Norma) Hawbaker, Ken Hawbaker, Harland (Linda) Hawbaker; her sisters-in-law, Marcia (Greg) Garcia, Donna Grove, Twila Hawbaker, and Vona Quackenbush; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; her parents, Bill & Lucille Quackenbush; mother & father-in-law, Roy and Edith (Hrabik) Hawbaker; brother, Jim Quackenbush; brothers- in-law, Pete Hawbaker, Levi Hawbaker, Kelly Hawbaker, Oliver Grove; and sister-in-law, Leah Adams.

Vigil services will be Friday, March 25, 2022 at 7pm. Memorial mass will be Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10am. All services will be held at St. William Catholic Church.