Misty L. Hamar

Misty L. Hamar, age 38, Kadoka, S.D., died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

 

An inspiration to others, Misty departed from her earthly home after a courageous battle against synovial sarcoma cancer. After her stage 4 diagnosis in August 2016, Misty surpassed her life expectancy while continuing to smile her big smile and while circulating “B Positive” blood and attitude. After the recent decision was made for no further cancer treatments, one of Misty's brothers reportedly stated, “I went to cheer her up, instead she cheered me up.”

 

Misty Larelle Frink was born to Larry and Janelle (Herber) Frink on March 22, 1979, with her middle name being a combination of her parents’ names. Two brothers, EJ (Earnest James) and Travis, soon joined this young family. Living on the south edge of Kadoka, Misty's family suddenly became four members instead of five: her dad, who was a state department of transportation worker, did not survive when a semi-truck ran into him in a construction area on I-90 on the north side of Kadoka, exit 150. Misty, at four years and two months, was the oldest of the three children at the time.

 

By about age six, Misty was the flower girl when her mom, Janelle, married Blake Hicks, a high school sweetheart. Siblings Katie, Joshua and Blaine were added to her family, with Misty now being the oldest of six.

 

Throughout her life, Misty was a (good) big sister and caretaker to others as well. She made everyone feel like they were someone. When someone seemed like they could use a friend, such as in a cafeteria, playground or Subway where she worked some, Misty would soon be visiting them.

 

In Misty's words, “My husband, my children, and the small towns I have taught in and call home (Kadoka, Wanblee, Long Valley, Interior) made my life complete.” 

With her competitive nature, Misty was an Interior Cub from first through eighth grades and a Kadoka Kougar in kindergarten and high school. After two years of college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, Misty married her high school sweetheart, Jason Hamar, on May 22, 1999. With Jason being a U.S. Marine stationed in California, the newlyweds had one year of “vacationing and wedded bliss” in Fallbrook, Calif., before returning to South Dakota to complete their degrees. Aberdeen saw two years of Jason working, putting Misty through college (bachelor of science in elementary education/ minor in early childhood). Misty returned the favor for Jason, working two years in Rapid City at The Children's Home and YFS Headstart. In Rapid City, they started their family with Timothy Jason (TJ) being born in September 2002 and Alexis (Lexi) arriving in April 2004. When Alexis was one month old, Jason and Misty purchased their current home in Kadoka which had been Diana's Daycare. It soon became Misty's Daycare for seven years (“my proudest job”). As in everyday life, she would expect kids to be playing with ducks or digging holes in her grass rather than watching TV or playing video games. During Misty’s Daycare years, two more children joined their family, daughter Aurora in December 2005 and son Dominick in October 2009. With God being important to Misty, she would routinely have their little brood of four young children at Mass regularly, often sitting halfway up the aisle on the right side of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. 

 

Misty started using her teaching degree in 2011 when she taught first grade at Wanblee, followed by one year of Title and two years of sixth through eighth grades at Long Valley, and one year of sixth through eighth grades at Interior. In Misty's words, “I completed a Circle of Life by going back to teach there (Interior)!!”

 

Additional information includes Misty’s love of reading, softball, and Trevor’s Legacy. Misty always loved to read books; you can hear her read a couple books on the app Story Corps. Even though Misty’s hip did not always allow her to play softball, she was always a member of the Weta River Rat Team, which her grandparents, Bernard and Barbara Herber, coached and many relatives, including her mom and sister, were teammates. For Trevor’s Legacy Foundation, Misty was instrumental in its implementation, while also being credited with coming up with the name, “Rock the Rim.” 

 

In Misty's words, “God has a plan and he wanted to take me early. It was nice of Him, to make sure I had time to say goodbye and to make sure there are some good memories.” “... My life was perfect and complete – it was happy and I am left wanting nothing more. I will be watching graduations, weddings, and every day from Heaven.”

 

Survivors include her husband, Jason, Kadoka; two sons, Timothy and Dominick Hamar, Kadoka; two daughters, Alexis and Aurora Hamar, Kadoka; her mother and father, Janelle and Blake Hicks; two brothers, EJ (Teresa) Frink and Travis (Amanda) Frink; two brothers, Joshua (Alyssa) Hicks and Blaine Hicks; one sister, Katie Hicks; her grandparents, Bernard and Barbara Herber; her grandmother, Alice Harvey; her in-laws, Mick and Patty Hamar; her brother-in-law, Luke (Emily Dillon) Hamar; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

Meeting her at heaven’s gate will be her father, Larry Frink.

 

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Kadoka City Auditorium in Kadoka with Father Tyler Dennis as celebrant.

Interment was at the Kadoka Cemetery.

 

A memorial has been established for their children's education. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 428, Kadoka, SD 57543.

 

Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.