Beatrice Hakes

BEATRICE E. HAKES, 90 ROCKFORD - Beatrice E. Hakes, 90, of Rockford, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born March 6, 1924, in Rockford, the daughter of Oscar W.T. and Hulda M. (Larsen) Peterson. Graduate of East High School, Class of 1942. She married Harrison R. Hakes Dec. 28, 1946, in Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford. He predeceased her Jan. 5, 2000. Beatrice was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving as president of Zion Church Women, wedding hostess, secretary of church council, member of Julia and Katherine Circles, and volunteer coordinator. She was the first woman to serve on the church council and the first woman to be elected president of the Zion Church Congregation, also serving as the vice president for one year. She served on the music and worship administration, was chairman of the Commitment Committee, participated in the Acapella Choir, Ladies Choir, and Blue Belles, played the handbells for the Zion Ringers, and served on the boards of LSSI and Northern Synod of Women of the Evangelist Lutheran Church of America. Beatrice loved doing things for others, helping to organize the volunteer group at Swedish American Hospital, where she volunteered for 18 years, including 2 years as secretary and 2 years as volunteer director. She was the former secretary of Jenny Lind Society, a former Brownie Leader at Rolling Green School, member of Ledge Ladies Golf-Birdes and Boggies of Sinnissippi Golf, organizer of the Bereaved Parents Group in Rockford, and board member of P.A. Peterson Center for Health. She is survived by her children, Gayle (Steve) Stark of Rockford and Ross (Karen) Hakes of Minnetonka, Minn.; grandsons, Aaron Stark, Craig Hakes, and Brett Hakes; sisters-in-law, Peggy Hakes of Rockford and Virginia Henn of Elgin; niece, Pricilla (Hal) Elmquist Nelson and family of Portland, Ore.; nephew, Paul (Christine) Elmquist and family of California; and several other nieces and nephews. Predeceased by son, Charles James Hakes; grandson, Corigan W. Stark; sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Allen Elmquist; brother, Dr. Everett R. Peterson; sisters-in-law, Ann Pearson and Betty Hakes; and nephew, Bruce Elmquist. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, North Main Chapel, 2811 N. Main St., with Steve Stark, son-in-law, officiating. Memorial visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Goodwill Industries, 4618 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108; or ALS Association, 1275 K St. NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005. To share a memory or condolence, please visit olsonfh.com.