Ruth Hawks

Ruth (Edie) Hawks, 94, passed away Sunday, June 19th peacefully at Stoney River Rehab Center in Weston, WI.

Born in Cook County, IL to James & Ethel Edie on March 22, 1922, she grew up in Madison, WI attending Central High school and the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she earned a degree in Recreation, Health and Education. She met and married her husband Keith in Green Bay, WI where they raised their family. She held different positions with the City of Green Bay Recreation Department, Academic Achievement Center, YWCA, Girl Scouts of America and St. Vincent Hospital before retiring in 1986.

She served as a proud Corporal in the United States Marine Corps in WWII working at the Fleet Post Office in San Francisco where she kept track of the troops in the South Pacific.

Ruth was a member of many organizations including American Legion, Post 539 out of Green Bay, a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Women Marines, proud Republican serving on boards in Dane County, Brown County, Bayfield County and Marathon County. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) as well as the Taxpayers Alliance. Ruth also served on boards from the YWCA, Lac Bay Girl Scout Council, Pilgrim Congregational Church and State Hospital Auxiliary Board.

She attended Highland Community Church in Wausau and has always been involved in volunteer work the majority of her life.

Ruth was a warm, caring, compassionate, kind, funny, smart, educated, creative, sweet and family loving woman that to say you knew her was a blessing. She helped and encouraged so many and touched so many lives with her kindness. She was known for her sharp dressing and adorable matching newsboy hats. She loved her Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and was a faithful Badger supporter.

She was a loyal Marine whom enjoyed the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in 2010 where she was finally able to realize the importance of her role in WWII making sure the troops received communication from home. She was recently the "Honored Veteran" at the Bull Falls Brewery Honor Flight run.

She is survived by her three children, Wendy Miller and Kim Bray of Wausau, Mark Hawks (Shelley) of Holland, MI as well as granddaughters Brittney Samuels of Austin, TX and Tiffany Samuels (Kelvin Conception) of Milwaukee, WI as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her Husband Keith Hawks, Sister Jean Topp and Parents James and Ethel Edie.

Visitation will be held at Highland Community Church at 1005 N. 28th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401, on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 4 pm to 7 pm, visitation on Thursday, June 23, 2016 11 am to 1 pm followed by the funeral at 1 pm. Final burial will be held on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Mt. Hope Cemetery on Sanborn Avenue in Ashland, WI at 12 pm.

Memorial donations can be made in her honor to Never Forgotten Honor Flight, PO Box 5056 Wausau, WI 54402.
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Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410