In Memory of Gretchen Purl Hawes

Gretchen Purl (Steele) Hawes, of Goodland, Florida and Baraboo, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2018 at her home in Naples, Florida. Gretchen was born on June 4, 1914, and recently celebrated her 104th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles W. (Chick) Hawes and her son, Harold Steele (Skip) Hawes. Gretchen will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Jeannine Hawes of Ravenna, Ohio; Richard Hawes of Wonewoc, Wisconsin; Brian Hawes of Coatesville, Pennsylvania; Greta (Matt) Roming of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Wendy (Paul) Thompson of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, as well as 12 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. Her final years were made more enjoyable by family and special friends Anne Marie Lewis, Faye Rasmussen and Linda VanMetre

Gretchen was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin and lived her adult life in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where she and her husband operated C. W. Hawes & Co., Inc., a purveyor of locally raised poultry products. Gretchen and Chick wintered in Goodland, Florida where they became avid fishermen. After Chick’s passing in 1978, Gretchen permanently relocated in Goodland, where she became a mainstay of the Goodland community. Gretchen recently moved to Naples after her Goodland home was devastated by Hurricane Irma.

At Gretchen’s request in lieu of a formal funeral a private ceremony was held to celebrate her life.