Nedra J. Hawkins, 85, of North Manchester, Ind., died at 5:42 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at her Timbercrest home.

She was born Nov. 28, 1928, in Converse, Ind., to Benjamin F. and Nilah May (Adams) Hodson. She graduated as class salutatorian from Converse High School in 1946. Nedra married Glenn Arden Hawkins in Fort Wayne, Ind., on March 8, 1947.

A gifted cook, baker, seamstress, quilter, knitter, homeopath, and gardener. She created a warm and welcoming home and cared for many foster children. She owned and managed several businesses, including a rabbit farm, a Neo-Life nutritional products venture, and a professional reflexology practice. Her creative endeavors included music and writing. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano; she composed two cantatas and authored a two-volume memoir. Along with her husband, she was a member of the Old Fort Model A Club and the Manchester Symphony Society. Nedra served as secretary of Faith Lutheran Church, Okemos, Mich., and belonged to several church congregations throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter: Julie (Neil DeWitt) Hawkins Meyer, Eagle River, Alaska; one son: Reverend Jeffrey (Kathryn) Hawkins, North Manchester; one brother: J.R. Hodson, Kokomo, Ind.; five grandchildren: Tami (Jeff) Schlies, Chugiak, Alaska; Tanya (Todd) Wimer, Fairbanks, Alaska; William Jeffrey ‘BJ’ (Karen) Meyer, Willow, Alaska; Zachary (Kira) Hawkins, North Manchester; Sarah (David) Moan, Detroit, Mich.; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother and five sisters.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 N. East Street, North Manchester; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester; and  from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 29. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 113 W. Main Street, North Manchester, with Pastor Gene Kinney officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Servia, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 113 W. Main Street, North Manchester, and HOPE CSA, Inc., 10373 N 300 E, North Manchester.