Erika Hawkins-Clignett's Obituary
Erika Agnes Gollost was born October 25th 1938 in Remscheid, Germany to Stephan and Greta.
Erika’s father was a shoe maker and a musician on the weekend, Erika and her siblings would deliver the shoes to folks in their town. Erika was a young girl during World War II and remembered her home being bombed in
the middle of the night. Her family left Germany for a short period of time and went to Poland until after the war.
She graduated school and went to work for an auto company where should learned to be an accountant which she would use later in life.
She married young to Hans Henninger and had one child, Stephan Henninger in 1962 who passed in 1998. Her marriage to Mr. Henninger did not last long.
In 1964, a fateful meeting happened one weekend when she met Robert James Hawkins of Paris, Texas. He was in the Army stationed in Germany.
Robert left Germany and wrote letters to her. The next chapter of her life would bring her from Germany to Dallas, Texas. Robert and Erika were married for the next 20 plus years. While they were married, they had 3 more children: Robert James Hawkins 1965, Kerry Lyle Hawkins 1968 who passed in 2016, Andreas Jay Hawkins 1973.
Erika spent her first 30 years as a homemaker, taking care of the children and make great food. She was known for her cooking skills and would try new things all the time. She was a loving mother who cared for her children, she was the very strict but fair. She loved us and always made sure we were fed, bathed and clothed. She partnered with her husband Robert where they built many homes and would sell in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In 1989, she and Robert decided to divorce.
After the divorce she went back to school and got her accounting degree and worked at Army Air Force Exchange Store (AAFES) department of defense she did accounting and retired in 2008. In the mid 2000’s she met a wonderful man by the name of Henri Clignett, at the senior center and before you know it, they would marry in 2007. Henri was a true gentleman to Erika, he always took good care of her.
They moved from Mesquite to Frisco and lived at the Dell Webb community. Erika’s health started to deteriorate and Henri was there to help as always. Erika’s health was ailing for some time, she passed away
with her 2 sons by her side and her husband Henri. She went to be with God on November 25 2021.
Erika is survived by her 2 brothers Lota and Manfred Gollost and sister Margaret who still reside in Germany; two sons Robert Hawkins and his wife Sharron, Andreas Hawkins and his wife Linley and their 4 children; along with other grandchildren.
Mom loved being outdoors and camping. She loved cooking. She would travel back to Germany to visit her brothers and sister; we always were excited for the Mon Cheri’s candies or the Smurfs and Lego’s little things we remember from those trips. She collected rabbit figurines, other animal figurines, and lots of other “pretties” as she would call them.
Mom would never get rid of anything but there is a rainbow on the other side, like finding a calendar from 1983 and to see what each day our family was doing. Its like a time capsule, Erika would call Germany weekly to speak to Margaret and brothers. She always was excited to report on their adventures.
She loved her grandchildren Hudson, Harlow, Holland, Matthew, Robby, Heidi Jensen Carbo, Hillary Jensen Muzykewicz, Hans Matthew Jensen, and Paige Lenore. Gummy bears were a constant at her house every time the grandkids visit along with lots of love.
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