It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Alice Grace (Davison) Hawes, age 92. On February 1, 2026 she passed peacefully at home surrounded by family in Park Rapids, MN. She was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1933 to Ruby and Lee Davison.
After graduating from Tintah High School in 1951, she continued her education at Moorhead State earning her teaching degree. It was while she was attending college that she met Harvey Hawes and they were united in marriage at Tintah Congregational Church on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 25,1954. They moved quite often with Dad’s employment and they went on to have 5 children all born in different towns.
Mom’s teaching career started in 1953 in Breckenridge, MN. After taking some years off to raise her family, she continued teaching in Fisher for 5 years and another 22 years in Crookston, MN before retiring in 1993. Mom says that “Teaching was her dream.” She loved her students and they became an important part of her life. We have heard from many of her students over the years about how Mrs. Hawes was their favorite teacher. Mom also taught migrant school in Crookston for 10 years and later continued her education taking night classes and summer school at Bemidji State.
Mom never lost her sharp mind. We considered her our walking encyclopedia. If we ever needed to know something we all knew to ask Mom as she would have the answer. She was proud to recite all 47 Presidents “in order” and could do it right up to the end. Mom was our family historian and loved to read history books. She found joy in looking at house floor plans, her hosta garden, and playing cards, especially “Buck”. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and always made sure we were wearing green on St Patrick’s Day. The family has many memories of life at the lake having cabins around Bemidji and Park Rapids, MN.
Mom and Dad were fortunate to have taken numerous trips over the years. With family in Alaska, they travelled there frequently. Her most memorable trip was her trip to Ireland to learn more about her Irish heritage. They spent winters in Lady Lake, Florida, Golf Shores, Alabama and the past 21 winters in Mesa, Arizona. In 1993, Dad and Mom moved their residency from Crookston to the Park Rapids area where they remained until their passing.
Mom is survived by her children, Jim Hawes (Denise), Vicki Laager (Troy), Terri Lamirande (Don), Karla Vander Bie (Matt) and son-in-law Steve Jordahl. Lovingly remembered by her 11 grandchildren, Maddison, Jessica, Joshua, Carisa, Teresa, Congo, Autumn, Andria, Alissa, Ryan, and Lindzi, 22 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. Also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Ervin Muth and Alice Gertrude Hawes and many nieces and nephews.
Mom has now been united in eternal peace with her husband of 69 years, Harvey, her daughter, Laura Jordahl, parents; Lee and Ruby Davison, father and mother-in-law; Edward and Laura Hawes, sisters and brother-in-laws; Lucy and Art Mohler, Donna and Rodney Rosenkranz, Opal Muth, and infant brother Clark Davison, also brothers and sister-in-law; Orville Hawes, and Richard and Elaine Hawes.
Funeral service will take place on April 25, 2026, 11:00 am at Calvary Lutheran Church, 112 Park Avenue South, Park Rapids, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service and lunch will be served immediately following the service. A private family burial will be held at a later time.
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