Sandra Chloe Hawbaker

Sandra Chloe Hawbaker (Wagner) passed away peacefully at her home in Boise, Idaho on March 28, 2023 after 87 vibrant years. She was surrounded by her loving family and was in the caring thoughts of the many friends and family spread across the country who loved her. Weeks earlier, she celebrated her 68th wedding anniversary with her husband, Gary Hawbaker, who she married on March 12, 1955. Many knew her as Sam, a nickname lovingly given to her by her father. To her grandchildren she was affectionately known as Goggi. 

Born in Elkader, Iowa on March 13, 1936 to Frank and Beulah Wagner, her family soon moved to Charles City. She graduated from Charles City High School, where she was even crowned prom queen, and met her lifetime sweetheart and soulmate Gary Hawbaker. They raised their family together in Charles City until 1983, when they moved to a home nestled in the foothills of Boise, Idaho that they still call home. 

Among Sam’s many achievements was a knack for remembering every hand played in a game of 500, making people laugh with a joke they didn’t see coming, and always finding a word to play in Scrabble. In Charles City, Sam was active in everything that involved family from swimming 

to camping, softball, Girl Scouts, school, YMCA, and church activities. She was an educational aide at Washington School, coordinator of the Foster Grandparent program, and a sports and news reporter and photographer for the Charles City Press. In Boise, she worked for the State of Idaho Department of Insurance as well as Health and Welfare. After retirement, Sam and Gary had many travel adventures in their Bounder RV, exploring the US and visiting family across the Midwest. 

Sandra is survived by her husband Gary; daughters: Shelly Ovre (Brian) of Hugo, MN; Nancy Harms of Milwaukee, WI; Sara Wiemerslage (Robert) of Lucile, ID; Stephanie Hawbaker of Boise, ID; Suzanne Hawbaker of Boise, ID and her sister Sara Lynn Larson of Williamston, MI. 

She is preceded in death by parents Frank and Beulah Wagner, sister Anita Kobliska, brother Fred Wagner, daughter Julie (Don Goodwill), and son-in-law Robert Wiemerslage (Sara). 

Sam and Gary were blessed with 11 grandchildren—Meghann, Carl, Chris, Danielle, Michaela, Clayton, Ben, Andy, Adam, Beck, and Chloeanne—as well as 6 great-grandchildren–Siri, László, Asher, August, Ismiya, Theodoric and a multitude of nieces and nephews. 

A Celebration of Life will be held April 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boise, ID. Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 707 W. Fort St., Boise, ID 83703 or The Charles City YMCA Foundation, 800 Hulin St, Charles City, Iowa 50616.