Helen Ruth Hawks

Helen Ruth Hawks, 91, of rural Hiawatha, died Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Mo. Helen Ruth was born at Falls City, Nebraska, December 2, 1928, one of three children born to H.E. and Vertie Lehew Holder. She attended schools in Missouri and Nebraska, later attended junior and senior years at Hiawatha, graduating with the class of 1947. She was employed through the years at Bern Meat and Cheese Store in Hiawatha for 19 years, Morrill and Janes Bank, Hiawatha, and served as 4-H leader for 10 years. Mrs. Hawks was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Hiawatha, where she served as treasurer for 20 years, and also taught Sunday school and VBS. Helen Ruth was also a very dedicated volunteer with the Gray Ladies of Hiawatha Community Hospital. On August 14, 1949, Helen Ruth married Dean Hawks at the First Baptist Church in Hiawatha. They lived all of their 62 years of married life on farms west of town. He died January 23, 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister Pauline Parker, and a brother Vincil Holder. Survivors include her daughters: Cynthia (Doug) Greer of Savannah, Mo. Nancy (Dan) Russell of Fulton, Mo., Sharon (Rolland) Fraser of Carl Junction, Mo.; five grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, a private family service is to be held with Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, Kansas. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha. Memorials are suggested to Gray Lady Volunteers at the Hiawatha Community Hospital, c/o Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. 7th St., Hiawatha, Kansas 66434. A memorial service will be forthcoming in the weeks/months ahead and will be announced. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com