Ione E. DeGrave, age 85, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013 at Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in International Falls, MN on October 16, 1927, to late Ralph and Ardus Hawkins. Ione moved to Sturgeon Bay with her family in 1943 where she attended high school. She married Gilbert "Gil" J. DeGrave in the First Methodist Church in Sturgeon Bay by Rev. Warren on December 25, 1944, and he preceded her in death on September 9, 2012. She moved to Green Bay in 1945 where she lived with her parents while Gilbert was serving in the U.S. Navy. The couple moved to Milwaukee in 1954 where Ione worked as a credit manager for Casanova, Milwaukee Credit Bureau and Agriamatic Piers.
Ione and Gil moved to Cable in 1970 where Ione worked at the Telemark Lodge as a head reservationist. She also served as Town Clerk for the town of Namakagon for 19 years. Most recently Ione worked with her husband as caretakers for several area households. She enjoyed gardening, taking care of her houseplants and crocheting.
She is survived by a son, Ross (Linda) DeGrave; a daughter, Ranae DeGrave; granddaughter, Misty DeGrave; grandson, Greg Seif; 3 great-grandsons, Tyler Gil Seif, Deryck and Dyllyn; sister-in-law, Bettie (Larry) Sacotte and nieces and nephews.
Ione was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister-in-law, Theresa Hawkins; brothers-in-law, Don Strand and Chet Rucki.
A celebration of Ione's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at the Grand View Methodist Church, Ashland with Pastor Dan Zei officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A private service will be held for Ione at Woodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay where she will be interred. Malcore (East) Funeral Home assisted the family.