Fowke
KEWASKUM, Wisc. — Iva Lee Fowke, 87, of Kewaskum, Wisc., formerly of Atlanta and Blackshear, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum after a brief battle with cancer.
Mrs. Fowke was a beloved wife, mother, and registered nurse.
She was born November 5, 1936, to the late John and Iva (nee Minchew) Hayes in Blackshear. Mrs. Fowke graduated from Wacona High School in Waycross and pursued her passion for nursing at Crawford W. Long School of Nursing in Atlanta.
Shortly after graduating, she met and married Lee Fowke. Mrs. Fowke began her nursing career at Crawford W. Long Hospital in Atlanta, where she worked for six years. Choosing to dedicate herself to her growing family, Mrs. Fowke became a fulltime stay-at-home caregiver. In the 1980s, she reentered the medical field, working as a registered nurse at South Fulton Hospital in East Point, Ga., and later at Southern Regional Hospital in Riverdale, Ga., until her retirement.
Mrs. Fowke and her family resided in the Atlanta area. Upon retirement, the Fowkes moved to South Carolina, where they enjoyed their retirement years together until Lee’s passing. Mrs. Fowke and her son, Hugh, relocated to Atlanta and later moved to Kewaskum, Wis.
Mrs. Fowke’s southern charm and legacy of compassion, dedication, and love for her family will be treasured by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her children, extended family, and friends.
Those Mrs. Fowke leaves behind to cherish her memory include her four children, Margaret Fowke, Iva (Dennis) Thelen, Johnnie Sue (Mike) Smith and Fitzhugh Lee Fowke III; three grandchildren, Robert Thelen, Rebecca Owens and Michael Smith; two great grandchildren, Logan and Charlotte Owens; a sister, Carolyn Pierce; a brother, James (Marie) Hayes; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Fowke was also preceded in death by her husband, Fitzhugh Lee Fowke, Jr.; four siblings, Johnnie (Robert) Adkerson, Joe (Katrina) Hayes, Marilyn Hayes and Marvin Hayes; and a brotherin-law, Edwin Pierce.
A celebration of life, visitation and service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 7 at Rehobeth Baptist Church in Blackshear. A reception will follow from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Satilla Bluffs Senior Care in Waycross.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to a charity of your choice or the family to support the ongoing needs of her disabled son, would be greatly appreciated.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Preceptor Hospice and Kettle Moraine Gardens for all their help and care.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Mrs. Fowke’s arrangements. Additional information and Tribute Wall may be found at www.myrhumpatten.com.
