Shirley Jean Hawk

February 12, 1925 - November 29, 2016

Shirley Jean (nee Strohl) Hawk, age 91, passed away at her residence at Racine Commons on November 29, 2016. Shirley was born on February 12, 1925 in Blythedale, MO to Leo and Lulu (nee Noland) Strohl. She was united in marriage to Mendell Hawk in Kansas City, MO on September 22, 1945. Mendell preceded her in death in November 2009. Shirley grew up in Albany, MO and attended Park College in Parkville, MO where she received a BA degree in Sociology. While at Park College, she met her future husband who was attending as part of the Navy’s V-12 program during World War II. She, her husband and their two sons moved to Racine in 1960 and lived here until 1976. After retiring to Florida, Shirley and her husband moved back to Racine in 2003. Besides Racine, they lived in New Orleans, LA, Saint Joseph, MO, Burlington, IA, Cincinnati, OH, and Pensacola, FL. They loved to travel and visited practically every state and took several trips to Europe. Shirley was very social. She enjoyed participating in the various activities at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, including Joy Circle and breakfast after Sunday services. She was an active member in churches wherever she lived and loved to sing in choir. She spent a great deal of time volunteering at, and eventually managing, the gift shop at St. Luke’s Hospital. Shirley was a member of the PEO Sisterhood, an organization dedicated to the education of women, and was an active member of a PEO chapter wherever she lived. She loved animals and never stopped being fond of her favorite basset hound, Cinderella. Above all, Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother and homemaker. Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Dave (Laurie) Hawk of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Steve (Mike Rude) Hawk of Racine, WI; her grandchildren: Jeff Hawk, Kelly Hawk Fite, Chris Hawk, Ryan Hawk; and her great-grandchildren Evie Hawk and Sam Hawk Fite. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and husband. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home with Deacon Janice Navarro officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be directed to Chapter AZ, PEO Sisterhood to support grants and loans for women’s education. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at both Racine Commons and Seasons Hospice for the compassionate care shown to Shirley.