Donna Mae Hawks (Wuokila)

Donna Mae Hawks

April 29, 1943 ~ March 23, 2016

Our Dearest Mom

Donna Mae Hawks went Home to her Heavenly Father, March 23, 2016 after a brief illness. Donna will be missed by a large family and many, many friends. She lived her life to its fullest and touched many lives with her kindness and love. She is a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Born April 29, 1943 in Vancouver, Washington, to Marian Eugenie Wuokila (Vickery) and Elmer Warren Wuokila. She has two sisters, Elaine (Ron) Taylor of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Shirley Wood of Manzanola, Colorado.

She moved to Montrose at three years old on a train with her Mother and two sisters. Living in a little log cabin on 5857 Road in Montrose. The cabin was owned by her Grandmother Leo Ida Mack and her husband, Louis G. Mack, known as Uncle Louie, even though he was her step-Grandad.

Though life was hard, her mother raised three beautiful and strong women. Her mother showed her how to make the best of life and to make do with what you have, while still having time for others. Many years later she and her sisters visited the old log cabin as it was being remodeled; and came away with some very fond memories.

Donna married John R. Hawks in Montrose, Colorado, June 28, 1960. The union ended in divorce but not before they had five children; Randy, Ronald (his fiancée Susan), Bryan (Kathryn), John Jay (Kimberly) and Brenda Hawks. Shortly after the birth of her first son, her mother, Marian married Francis Cobally, August 5, 1961 in Montrose, Colorado. This union lasted until both went home to heaven.

Donna worked hard to make sure her family was taken care of even if she did without, and did so all her life. Those who knew Donna have expressed to the family how much she meant to them and how much she touched them.

Donna worked on the family ranch until her divorce, raising bum lambs to make money to buy Christmas presents and clothes for her growing family. You could always find a couple bum lambs in the house along with rambunctious kids, and Donna happy to have both.

She worked as hard as any man, out working several jobs, driving trucks to haul sugar beets, hay, sheep, or whatever was needed. She worked at the Montrose Daily Press for 17 years as the Circulation Manager, which she was very proud of. She shared this time with two of her best friends Sandy Gallegos, and Wendy Watford; and her friend and hairdresser, Mercy Espinoza. If you knew Donna, she had to have her hair done just right with the help of Aqua-net hairspray.

Donna enjoyed her life with 15 grandkids, and 16 great grandkids, plus one on the way. Her grandkids that shared her life are; Lacey, Jesse, Taylor, Sarah, Stacy, Dustin, Jennifer, Kelley, Brandon, Cheyenne, Jared, Dalton, Kyle, Shelena, and Garen. Her great grandkids are; Alexia, Averie, Addison, Jaten, Wyatt, Drew, Braylon, Azy, Aly, Ivy, Axel, Holden, Jade, Emily, Hailey, Shawna, and one yet to be named.

She loved her Denver Broncos, George Strait, and anything her kids, grandkids, or great grandkids, nieces or nephews were doing. Once she drove 17 hours to watch a grandson show his lamb, spent two hours, and then drove back with her granddaughter Shelena. She had many birthdays, graduations, and marriages to go to. She did them all with a smile on her face and in her heart. She loved going to Country Jam with her sisters and family.

Donna is survived by all of her children, grandkids, great grandkids, and her two sisters; plus many nieces and nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and a very special Aunt Madeline.

There will be a Funeral Service for Donna, on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Stratford and Hillcrest. Burial will follow at Grand View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home and Grand View Cemetery.