Twila Mae Hawbaker

     Twila Mae (Cloyd) Hawbaker passed away June 22, 2025, at the age of 78 in Rawlins, Wyoming surrounded by her family after a short battle with health issues.

     Twila was born October 21, 1946, in Hamburg, Iowa to parents Vernon Leroy “Jack” Cloyd and Ruby Mae (Keys) Cloyd.

     She attended school in Estherville, Iowa and graduated in 1964. She attended Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska and graduated with a Bachelor of Art in Education degree in 1968. After graduation, Twila began a long teaching career of 43 years. She began in Iowa, traveling to Kanorado, Kansas and finishing her career with 34 years in Rawlins, Wyoming. She taught mostly kindergarten and 1st grade before becoming a Title 1 Reading Specialist. She made life-long friends at every school she worked at including Sunnyside, Highland Hills and Rawlins Elementary School.

     Twila loved going on her shopping trips with her daughters and later grandkids and her friends, Juanita Austin and LaRena Kirsch. In 35 years, she rarely missed her coffee day on Thursday with her coffee group. She enjoyed her talks with her neighborhood friends, Sue Maffoni and Jimy Vanderburg, and sharing a Coke with Sue Garate.

     Twila loved spending holidays with her family. She would spend the long car rides to Kansas writing the funniest jokes, poems and skits for the families to read or perform on Christmas Day, which created many laughs and lasting memories.

     Twila married Clair Joseph “Kelly” Hawbaker on June 11, 1977, in Kanorado, Kansas. They built their home in Rawlins, Wyoming. They were blessed with 2 daughters, Kellie Jo Whitzel and Kari Sue Hawbaker; four grandchildren, Owen Hawbaker, Odin Pederson, Ivy Pederson and Rune Pederson; and her many pets that she loved.

     Twila is survived by her loving family – her daughters, Kellie Jo Whitzel (David Whitzel) and Kari Susanne Hawbaker of Rawlins, Wyoming; her adored grandchildren, Owen Joseph Hawbaker, Odin Leifayas Pederson, Ivy Ray Andais Pederson and Rune William Pederson; special nephew and Godson, Justin Franz (Gianina Franz) of Burlington, Colorado; special nieces, Jolynne Richards (Kyle Richards) of Idalia, Colorado and Jasalyn Hays (Casey Hays) of Burlington, Colorado; great nephews Tennisen Hoyda, Tyrell Homm, Kagen Hoyda, Maguire Franz, Wyatt Hays and great niece Maddisen Hoyda; cousins Mike Cloyd (Carol), Johnny French (Catherine “Kitty”) and Donna Walker; brothers and sisters-in-laws James and Norma Hawbaker; Harley and Linda Hawbaker, Marcia Garcia, Bonnie Hawbaker and Sherryl Casper; her special friends, Linda and Richard Benson, Donna Adams and Jean Dutton and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that all held a special place in her heart.

     She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Clair Joseph “Kelly” Hawbaker; her parents Vernon Leroy “Jack” Cloyd and Ruby Mae Cloyd; sister, Sandee Franz; mother-in-law Edith Hawbaker and father-in-law Harvey “Roy” Hawbaker; brothers-in-law Joel Franz, Oliver Grove, Pete Hawbaker, Levi Hawbaker, Kenny Hawbaker, Richard Hawbaker, Eddie Hawbaker and Greg Garcia; sisters-in-law Violet Hawbaker, Veanne Hawbaker, Leah Adams, Maureen Hawbaker, Donna Grove and special cousin, Gary Walker.

     Cremation has taken place in the care of Casada Funeral Home & Crematory. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Best Western in Rawlins, Wyoming from 12-5 PM. Interment of her urn will be held in Kanorado, Kansas at a later date.

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, 2711 E Murray St, Rawlins, WY 82301 or Pet Partners of Carbon County, PO Box 1618 Rawlins, WY 82301.