Obituary for Cindy Volek, SD ASA Hall of Fame Member from Highmore

Cindy Volek, 61 year, five months and one day, of Highmore, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Hyde County Auditorium, Highmore with Roger Day officiating. Burial will follow at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation with begin at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 2015 followed by a 6:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the auditorium.

Cynthia Ann Hamlin was born August 30, 1953 in Miller to Richard and Isabelle (Wortman) Hamlin. She was baptized with her parents and siblings in the United Methodist Church on Easter Sunday in 1965 and they continued to do most everything together through the years. She received her education in Highmore, graduating with the Class of 1971. She was a life-long resident of Hyde County. Growing up, she spent many hours with her family helping to clean the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium and so began her many years of community service.

After her children enrolled in school, “Miss Cindy” became employed as a teacher’s aide in the Highmore School System; contributing to the education of many hundreds of youth over the years. With her employment at the school, her summers were free so she began another path of community service by teaching young girls to twirl baton. She continued on to become the t-ball and girls’ softball coach for the City’s Summer Recreation program; later becoming the Director of the program along with her coaching duties. During these years she also was employed as a custodian at Venture Communications. She was honored by the school with the Bob Thingelstad Award in 2000 for her dedication to education.

Looking to lighten her workload, Cindy retired from the school and Venture to become a full-time employee of the City of Highmore as custodian at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, where she was employed at the time of her death.

Cindy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Highmore Women’s Civic League where she served in all officer capacities. She was honored by the group at this past December’s Snow Queen Contest for her 44 years of dedicated service; helping for many years at the ballpark concessions stand and numerous fundraising projects over the years.

She also spent her summers playing softball on a women’s team and enjoyed many years of attending tournaments with ladies of the community. During the winter months, she participated in the women’s bowling league, serving as secretary for many years. She attended several National bowling tournaments and was a member of the 600 Club.

In 2010, Cindy was inducted into the South Dakota ASA Hall of Fame as a player/coach in recognition of her dedication to the sport of softball in the community and state.

Those cherishing her memory include her children, Christine (Jeff) Kosters of Selby and David (Amy Bohling) Volek of Mina; eight grandchildren: Zachary Kosters of Aberdeen, Courtney, Kennedy and McKinley Kosters of Selby, Bailey, Haiden and Tyson Volek of Aberdeen and Kael Campbell of Mina; her father, Richard Hamlin of Highmore; two sisters, Susan (Brian) Bast and Mary Beth Hamlin of Highmore; two brothers, Chuck (Pam) Hamlin of Highmore and Mike (Peggy) Hamlin of Springfield, IL; five nephews: Prentice Bast and special friend Michelle Schmeling; Dickson(Amber) Bast, Roman (fiancé Paige Shonley) Bast, Hadley Hamlin, all of Highmore; and Travis Hamlin of Springfield, IL; four nieces, Mallory (Derrick) Brown of Springfield, IL; and Holly, Tyann and Tierny Hamlin of Highmore; a great-nephew, Gentry Bast; and two great-nieces, Truen Bast and Emersyn Bast, all of Highmore; a special “brother”, Mike (Susan) Roberts and family of Highmore; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Recognition also needs to be made to the doctors, nurses, cafeteria and housekeeping staff, friends and family that were by Cindy’s side as she made her journey through the battle with cancer. She fought the good fight and was deeply appreciative to all who supported her in the battle.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Izzy; maternal grandparents, Bob and Iva Wortman; and paternal grandparents, Wallace and Elsie Hamlin.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Cindy’s arrangements.