Jean Lois (Meekma) Hawes passed away peacefully after a short illness with her family by her side. She was born in Racine, on March 30, 1933, the daughter of John James and Alta Jean (nee: Barrows) Meekma. She was a 1951 graduate of Washington Park High School. On June 2, 1951, Jean married the love of her life, John Richard Hawes, Sr. Sadly he passed away on March 3, 2012. Jean was a licensed insurance agent with Guy Lloyd, retiring in 1974.

With a strong Christian faith, Jean was a member of Living Faith Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Wednesday Optimist Club and served on the Washington Park High School Reunion Committee for many years. She will best be remembered as someone who rarely said no to a trip or outing, enjoyed an adventure, had a great sense of humor, and always found the good in everyone. She enjoyed daily crossword and Sudoku challenges, a glass of wine on her porch with her daughters, martini nights with her son, visiting the northern Wisconsin cabins of her sons, and luncheons with close friends. She especially enjoyed visits from her grandchildren.

Jean is survived by her children: Laurie (Greg) Lucas of Spring Hill, Florida, Carol Hawes (Pat Vandenberg) of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, John Jr. (Vicki) Hawes of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and David (Linda) Hawes of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin; her grandchildren: Ric (Marla) Lucas, Bryan (Katie) and Paul (Shelby) Brouwers, Jacob (Katie), Mitchell (Abbey) and Mason Hawes, Jennifer (Chris) Kiesler, Carly, Michael (Caitlin), and Tara Hawes; bonus grandchildren: John (Amy) Upchurch; her great-grandchildren: Mason and McKenzie Lucas, Jack (Hannah), Nate and Ellie Brouwers, Emma, AJ and Aubri Brouwers, Jasper, Eden and Noah Hawes, Gilbert Hawes, and Madison and Hallie Kiesler; bonus great-grandchildren: Johanna and Liam Upchurch, Madeleine and Isabel Mcintosh; great-great-grandchild: John Bradley Brouwers; sister-in-law, Delores Etlichter; dear friend, Ken Bressett; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to her parents, John and Alta Meekma, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, John; sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Howard) Simonsen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack (Eileen) and Robert (Sally) Meekma; sister-in-law and husband, Mary Lou (Delbert); brother-in-law, George Etlichter; grandson, James Lucas; and great-granddaughter, Grayce Elizabeth Brouwers.

Funeral services for Jean will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 11:00 am, in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Brown officiating. A visitation for family and friends will take place at 10:00 am until the time of services in the funeral home. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to Living Faith Lutheran Church (livingfaithracine.org) or Aurora Medical Center Mount Pleasant Hospice Program (aahgiving.org).

Service Details

Funeral services for Jean will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 11:00 am, in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Brown officiating. A visitation for family and friends will take place at 10:00 am until the time of services in the funeral home. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

For those wishing to view the service via livestream you may click this link at 11 am https://youtube.com/live/rC0CTkqG-vA?feature=share.

Due to music licensing laws you may experience moments of silence while music is played during the service.