James Edward 'Ed' Hawks,16 Jul 1930 – 19 Apr 2014

HAWKS, TREANOR, VORWALD, MCCORMICK, GOODMANN, TOPF, BATES

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/29/2014 at 10:56:11

James Edward "Ed" Hawks, 83, of Dubuque, died Saturday April 19, 2014. A wake will be held at Resurrection Church, Dubuque on Tuesday, April 22, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., with a funeral Mass celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Bellevue, Iowa.

Ed was born in Creston, Iowa, on July 16, 1930. He was the much-loved sixth child of [Loretta Teresa 'Laura' Treanor] and William [Leo] Hawks. His childhood was spent with six siblings, Theresa, Paul, Gene, Vince, Loretta, and Patricia. His was a happy childhood on the family farm despite Depression and drought in that southwestern corner of Iowa.

At the age of 14, he went to boarding school to attend Loras Academy in Dubuque. Here he met the love of his future years, Charlene Vorwald. Ed went on to pre-engineering studies at Loras College for two more years. During his six years at Loras, he made enduring friendships with classmates. These valued friendships continued all of his life.

He transferred to Iowa State University to continue his engineering studies but the Korean War intervened and Ed served four years in the Air Force as a medic. On November 19, 1951, Ed and Char married at Nativity Church in Dubuque. The seven children and spouses are: Tim (Mary Lew McCormick) of Shorewood, Wisconsin; Teri (John) Goodmann of Dubuque, Iowa; Cathy (Tony) Topf of Wonder Lake, Illinois; Laura Hawks of Iowa City, Iowa; Susan (Dan) Goodmann of Sugar Grove, Illinois; Carolyn (Bill) Bates of Davenport, Iowa; and Lisabeth Hawks of Aurora, Illinois. Ed is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Colleen (Tristan) Laura, Tyler, Charlie, Emily, Ellen (Tom), Edward (Kristin), Elise, Nick (Vanessa), Greg (Shannon), Maureen, Joseph, Julia, Anna, Tom, Megan, Peter; and six great-grandchildren, Coralyn, Grace, Alysia, Violet, Freya and Eddie.

Ed, always inspired by a beautiful building, bridge, or elevated walkway, spent the next many years working as a consulting engineer in Des Moines, Davenport, and at the University of Iowa.

Long before retirement Ed and Char bought an old stone house, lovingly called the Rock House, near Bellevue, Iowa. Happy years were spent at the peace of the Rock surrounded by friends and family.

Ed celebrated life despite a damaging aneurysm fourteen years ago. In 2007, Ed and Char moved to Dubuque. Ed died April 19, 2014. He had I lived a life dedicated to his values: his faith, family, friends, and country.

Respecting Ed's commitment to social justice, memorials may be made to: the Dubuque Rescue Mission; Serve Haiti, a mission providing water and health services to a remote mountain community in Haiti; Resurrection Church; or Hospice of Dubuque. If one so desires, simply planting a tree, shrub or flower in his honor would be most fitting.

Ed always had a story to share and a quick smile that will be missed. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. His family was his life.

The family wishes to thank the medical professionals, friends and family who have loved and cared for Ed for the last 14 years.

The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For further information, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com .

Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home
Abbreviated obituaries in:
The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 24 Apr 2014
Iowa City Press Citizen, 21 Apr 2014