- Born on: August 4, 1920
- Departed on: March 3, 2022
- Resided in: West Union, IA
Kezia "Kay" Claudia Hawes
Kezia (Kay) Claudia Hawes, 101, passed away on March 3, 2022. She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on August 4, 1920 to the late E.C. and Elma Erickson. On June 18, 1948, she wed Leslie (Les) Grover Hawes, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.
Kay graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth. She worked at the Duluth News-Tribune and at Twin City Bible and Book Store. Attending night school while parenting 5 children, she completed an Associate of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth. An avid reader of history, biography, and literary classics, she also loved music and the arts. She was a devoted mother, a woman of prayer, an active volunteer in her church, and a faithful caregiver to extended family members. She will always be remembered also for her sharp wit and her legendary caramel rolls.
Kay is survived by her brother Dean (Jan) Erickson; children Jon (Wendy) Hawes, Juli (Nathan) Nelson, Debbie (John) Green, Sarah (Craig) Johnson, 16 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren. She was proud of all her family, delighting in visits, pictures, and updates of their lives. Kay was predeceased by her husband Les Hawes; her son David Hawes; her grandson Eric Hawes, and her grandson-in-law Alan McMullen.
A special thanks to the staff at Copper Creek Assisted Living, St. Jude Hospice, and Palmer Lutheran Health Center for their loving care. A memorial service will be held on March 12, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at West Union United Methodist Church, West Union, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Union Community Library (“Friends of the Library” fund) or Copper Creek Senior Living, West Union.
Kay graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth. She worked at the Duluth News-Tribune and at Twin City Bible and Book Store. Attending night school while parenting 5 children, she completed an Associate of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth. An avid reader of history, biography, and literary classics, she also loved music and the arts. She was a devoted mother, a woman of prayer, an active volunteer in her church, and a faithful caregiver to extended family members. She will always be remembered also for her sharp wit and her legendary caramel rolls.
Kay is survived by her brother Dean (Jan) Erickson; children Jon (Wendy) Hawes, Juli (Nathan) Nelson, Debbie (John) Green, Sarah (Craig) Johnson, 16 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren. She was proud of all her family, delighting in visits, pictures, and updates of their lives. Kay was predeceased by her husband Les Hawes; her son David Hawes; her grandson Eric Hawes, and her grandson-in-law Alan McMullen.
A special thanks to the staff at Copper Creek Assisted Living, St. Jude Hospice, and Palmer Lutheran Health Center for their loving care. A memorial service will be held on March 12, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at West Union United Methodist Church, West Union, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Union Community Library (“Friends of the Library” fund) or Copper Creek Senior Living, West Union.
