Elizabeth "Liz" Hawes

Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Hawes, 76, of Cedar Rapids died Monday, September 12, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. Services were held Friday, September 16 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids with Rev. Ivan Nienhaus officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Liz was born April 22, 1940 in Lansing, the daughter of James and Helena Weber Thorsten. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Lansing in 1958. Liz married Raymond Joseph Hawes June 21, 1958 in Lansing. He died February 27, 1995.

She held various jobs throughout her life, but most recently Liz volunteered for St. Patrick Catholic Church and worked at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Later in life, Liz graduated from Mount Mercy College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in administrative management. She was a member of the American Business Women Association, CRIABWA, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Liz was a creative and skilled seamstress, and was able to use her talents in making her daughters’ wedding dresses. She was very social, enjoyed dancing, listening to music and traveling. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, a representative for Primerica, and spent time volunteering at the National Czech and Slovak Museum.

Liz is survived by her son, Norb (Kathy) of Cedar Rapids; three daughters, Cindy (Ted) Kaster of Clinton, Christina Hasse of Denver, CO and Michelle (Doug) Dohrman of College Station, TX; 10 grandchildren, Andrea Hawes and Samantha (Tommy) Schneekloth, Kate and Kim Kaster, Jacob, Bradley (Deanna) and Timothy Hasse, and Allison, Robert and Olivia Dohrman; one sister, Margaret Ferring of Lansing; and a special friend, Pete Kapfer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her sister, Mary Levendoski; and two brothers, John and James Thorsten.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.