LOIS HANKS

Lois L. Hanks, 94, of Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center, Menasha, Wisconsin passed away on Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2009. Lois was born at Maple Grove Dairy in Summit Township near Ludington, Michigan on January 3, 1915. She was the daughter of Harriet and Jesse Houk. Lois attended French School in the country and graduated from Ludington High School in 1932. Lois found life at the Dairy to be daunting. She was up at five oclock in the morning and off to deliver the milk route in Ludington before attending high school. After school it was back to the dairy for evening chores. Lois was pleased when a very nice hired man at the dairy named Claude Hanks proposed marriage with an offer to take her away to the city. Lois and Claude were married in Scottville, Michigan on July 3, 1937, a marriage which lasted over 70 years until Claudes death in January of 2008. Lois was pleased to explain that the couple always managed to work out their differences and never once spoke of divorce. Lois and Claude moved to Beloit, Wisconsin in 1938 where they lived for 48 years. The couple moved to Menasha, Wisconsin in 1986 to be near their son Gary Hanks who worked for the Menasha Joint School District. Lois was a skilled and dedicated Homemaker. She was also a talented singer who was a member of the Masterworks Chorus at Beloit College and a member of the First Baptist Church Choir in Beloit. Lois was involved in many volunteer efforts which include: Church work, Red Cross service, and Nursing Home assistance. She also assisted older people with in-home care. Lois was a hard worker who worked side-by-side with Claude in his lawn care and snow removal business. She did a good share of the cleaning and painting in the rentals they managed. Lois will be remembered by family and friends as a sincere and honest person who always did her best at whatever she tried. She was always guided in life by strong religious values and a solid work ethic. Lois is survived by her son Gary Hanks and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Claude Hanks, her parents Harriet and Jesse Houk, and two sisters, Eletha Dipple and Elida Lyons. Lois will be buried next to Claude at Center Riverton Country Cemetery in Mason County, Michigan. There will be a visitation for Lois on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Menashas Westgor Funeral Home. A short service will be at 2:00 P.M. Cards may be sent to Gary Hanks, 738 Carver Ln., Menasha, WI 54952. Donations to Lois memorial fund will go to Calvary Bible Church of Neenah, Wisconsin.