Charlene Mae Vorwald Hawks

Charlene Mae Vorwald Hawks

Dubuque

Charlene Mae Vorwald Hawks, 93, of Dubuque, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Rd., Dubuque. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday at Resurrection Catholic

Church, preceded by a Eulogy at 10:45 a.m. Livestream of the Mass may be viewed at egelhofsiegertcasper.com. Graveside services will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Bellevue, Iowa.

Charlene “Char” was born in Dubuque, on Jan. 12, 1930. She was the only child of Elmer and Monica (Theisen) Vorwald. While born an only child, Char saw her cousins on both sides of her family as siblings. She spent many joyous days with them and loved them dearly.

Char earned her B.A. in classical languages from Clarke College. She continued her education while raising her children, earning her M.A. and Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Iowa.

Char married James Edward “Ed” Hawks on Nov. 19, 1951, at Nativity Church in Dubuque. Together, they shared an unparalleled love and an eternal partnership. The years were filled with raising their children, enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and traveling the country. Wherever their travels took them, Ed commented that they met a relative of Char’s. Their best days were spent at an old stone house, lovingly called the "Rock House," near Bellevue. Their seven children, and their children’s spouses, are Tim (Mary Lew McCormick), Shorewood, Wis., Teri (John) Goodmann, Dubuque, Iowa, Cathy (Tony) Topf, Wonder Lake, Ill., Laura Hawks, Iowa City, Iowa, Susan Hawks, Sugar Grove, Ill., Carolyn (Bill) Bates, Donahue, Iowa, and Lisabeth Hawks, South Elgin, Ill. Char is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Char was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Monica Vorwald; and her husband, Ed Hawks.

Char was a force of nature and transferred that energy toward many different pursuits throughout her life. She volunteered for the March of Dimes, Girl Scouts, and the St. Paul the Apostle School Board, all in Davenport Char was a proud member of Rotary International Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. After earning her advanced degrees Char worked at Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.) as an adjunct professor and the director of the Reading and Writing (Lab) Center. At Augustana College, Char became a beloved mentor of many students. Never one to retire, Char and Ed opened Hawk Hollow Antiques and Collectibles in Bellevue and Galena. In all these endeavors Char developed close, life-long friendships that brought her much joy.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque; the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey; or Luther Manor Communities. Char never met a person, plant or book she didn’t love. In lieu of a memorial, feel free to donate a book to a library, volunteer time to a literacy organization, plant a tree or plant some flowers. These meet Char’s greatest wish to make the world a better place. Family, faith and education were most important to her.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Luther Manor Communities and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care and generous spirit.

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