Keith Hawks

Keith Merwin Hawks of Wausau, Wisconsin passed peacefully on February 9, 2013. He was born on the family farm in Marengo, Wisconsin to Merwin Nelson and Margaret Lindsay (Mallory) Hawks on October 3, 1922.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Currie and Anita Rowe, sister-in-law, Jean Topp, and brothers-in-law, Robert Currie and Robert Topp.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Edie Hawks, daughters, Wendy Hawks Miller of Wausau, Wisconsin and Kim Laureen Bray of Birmingham Alabama, and son, Mark Winton Hawks (Shelley) of Holland, Michigan. He is also survived by granddaughters, Brittney Amber Samuels and Tiffany Nicole Samuels, brother-in-law, Keith Rowe, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Keith worked on the family farm until attending and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his noteworthy career in agriculture as an agricultural instructor at the Vocational Technical College in Wausau. His long career at Wisconsin Public Service in Green Bay, Wisconsin began in 1954 where he received many distinguished awards and recognitions for his dedication to rural development in Wisconsin. He retired in 1985 and Keith and Ruth enjoyed many years living in Cable, Wisconsin at the "Cottage" that was lovingly transformed into their home near his birthplace. They then returned to Wausau Wisconsin in 1999 where he spent his final years.
Keith was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, founding member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin, founding member and President of the University of Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association, founding member of the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program, founding member of the Green Bay Curling Club, was the General Chairman of the Farm Material Handling Exposition in Green Bay for 25 years, worked tirelessly for the Republican party and was chairman and/or member of various other boards and committees in the Green Bay/Brown County area.
During his long life he thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, downhill skiing, curling, and reading of historical biographies.
A visitation will begin at 11 a.m. with the funeral service following at 1 p.m. at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. He will be buried in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland, Wisconsin with a graveside service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2013.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the Marywood staff and Hospice for the wonderful care given our husband, father, and grandfather.
In lieu of flowers, suggested contributions can be made to Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association, PO Box 517, Madison WI 53705. (www.walsaa.org)