Ila Marie Oaks, 97

Ila Marie Oaks, 97, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. Ila was born on Dec. 2, 1912, in Lapeer County, Michigan to Raymond Walker and Nina (Bearinger) Walker. Ila's father, Ray Walker, who was interested in machinery, had a Lapeer foundry build a dredge, then was hired to dig drains in fields located in the thumb part of Michigan to prevent flooding. A move to Birmingham, Mich., in what is now Troy, Mich., presented a new opportunity for Ila s father to open a gravel pit operation. After several successful years in the gravel business, Ray transferred the operation over to his son and then retired with Nina to their cabin in Red Oak, Mich., known to the family as UpNorfus (named by one of Ray and Nina's grandsons). From a young age Ila wanted to be a teacher. She attended Oakland County Normal Training School in 1930 to1931 and started her teaching career during the Great Depression at the age of 18. Wages were small at that time, she earned just 5 for nine months of teaching but Ila was passionate about her career. She later graduated from Wayne State University and taught in various Michigan schools for more than 26 years. All the activities Ila joined in were related to the educational system. Because Ila enjoyed teaching music, arts and crafts, she remembered the time that her father sat her down and explained that those teachers of music, arts and crafts were often the first to be let out of their jobs. So Ila became a first grade teacher and was discouraged from ever moving from that position. Many of her students over the years have written notes of thanks for her tenacious desire that they learn to write legibly, read and understand words, and especially to work beyond their potential to achieve their goals. Many will miss Ila s inventive and artistic talent as well as her enthusiastic involvement. Ila married Jerold E. Oaks, a school friend of her brother, happily living together for nearly 67 years. Ila is preceded in death by her husband, Jerold; and son Robert Earl Oaks. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Oaks Tucker and husband, Tom of Kalispell; and son, James E. Oaks of Orrstown and wife, Shirley Oaks of Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren, including two who reside in the Flathead Valley; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. At her request, there are no services planned for Ila. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Angel's Place, 25240 Lahser Road, Ste. No. 2, Southfield, MI 48033. Their email address is: http://angelsplace.com/ Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Ila s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Ila s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.