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Submitted: 3/16/13 • Approved: 7/21/16 • Last Updated: 7/24/16 • R847945-G847945-S3
January 7, 1932 - October 27, 2012
*Obituary
Midland Reporter-Telegram
October 30, 2012
Miriam Anne Reiniger Hanks passed away on Friday, Oct. 27, in Midland, Texas, after a long and eventful life. Miriam was born on January 7, 1932, in Woodriver, Illinois. Miriam spent most of her early years in Texas City, Texas, and graduated valedictorian from Dominican High School in Galveston. She attended North Texas State College, where she was active in student business clubs and honorary societies, and served as a student Supreme Court Justice. Miriam graduated with a degree in business administration in 1953. After college Miriam joined Humble Oil in New Orleans. There, she met the love of her life, on a blind date. She married her young petroleum engineer, Eugene H. Hanks, on August 6, 1955, in Texas City. During the next 57 years of marriage, she and Eugene travelled the world with Exxon/Mobil. Miriam was the mainstay of the family during these travels, creating a home for Eugene and their four children, whether it was in southern Louisiana, Australia, Iran, Scotland, Norway, or Midland. Miriam was energetic and very creative. From cooking to refinishing furniture to quilting and ceramics, Miriam absorbed flavors and ideas from the many cultures she encountered. She and Gene returned to Midland in 1985. Although ostensibly retired, Miriam continued to travel, making several trips to Alaska and other places in the U.S. She remained actively involved with both her growing family and in her community, volunteering at St. Ann's and St. Stephen's Catholic Church, the Midland County Library, and the Petroleum Museum.
Miriam is survived by one daughter, Catherine L. Hanks of Fairbanks Alaska; three sons, Shelby M. Hanks and wife, Alicia of Midland, Gregory H. Hanks of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and Eugene H. Hanks, Jr. of San Antonio; four granddaughters, Whitney, Lauren, Theresa, and Joanna; and one great granddaughter, Lydia. Miriam is also survived by three sisters, Mary Leigh Lupin of Giddings, Harriet Clerc of Dickinson, and Judy Uzzell of San Marcos. Miriam was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene H. Hanks, Sr.; her parents, Henry and Mary Reiniger; and one sister, Ruth Westkaemper.
The family would like to thank Alice Perales, Juanita Jurado, George Fuhrmann, and the many caregivers of Manor Park, that gave Miriam such loving care during this last year. A funeral mass will be held at St. Stephens Catholic Church, Midland, TX, at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday Oct. 31. As she lived her life, Miriam will be laid to rest by Eugene's side, at the Mount Olive Cemetery at Mount Olive, Arkansas. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Midland. Funeral service is under the direction of Lewallen-Garcia-Pipkin Funeral Home and Chapel.
Contributed on 3/16/13 by sandhollow
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Record #: 847945