Iva Lee (Hayes) Fowke

Iva Lee Fowke, 87, of Kewaskum formerly of Atlanta and Blackshear, Georgia passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum after a brief battle with cancer. She was a beloved wife, mother, and Registered Nurse.

Iva Lee was born on November 5, 1936, to the late John and Iva (nee Minchew) Hayes in Blackshear, GA. She graduated from Wacona High School in Waycross, Georgia and pursued her passion for nursing at Crawford W. Long School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia.

Shortly after graduating, Iva Lee met and married Lee Fowke. She 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, Iva Lee became a full-time stay-at-home caregiver. In the 1980s, she reentered the medical field, working as a registered nurse at South Fulton Hospital in East Point, Georgia, and later at Southern Regional Hospital in Riverdale, Georgia, until her retirement.

Iva Lee and her family resided in the Atlanta area. Upon retirement, Iva Lee and Lee moved to South Carolina, where they enjoyed their retirement years together until Lee's passing. Iva Lee and her son, Hugh, relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and later moved to Kewaskum, Wisconsin.

Iva Lee'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 Iva Lee 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, she is 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 brother-in-law, Edwin Pierce.

A celebration of life visitation and service will be held at Rehobeth Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Reception to follow at Satilla Bluffs Senior Care in Waycross, Georgia from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

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 Iva Lee’s arrangements. Additional information and Tribute Wall may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.