Rae Beth Lower and Chris Haak are the 2025 honorees of the Judy Elder Spouse’s Award. This award, given by The John and Judy Elder Foundation, celebrates the memory of Judy Elder and recognizes the valuable role that wives play in the lives of their husband’s success coaching high school football in Illinois.Each of these women were nominated by their husbands.
Rae Beth Lower is the wife of Fulton High School head football coach, Patrick Lower. Coach Lower refers to their family as a football family and her ‘super powers’ have come not only as a wife but as a mother raising their two children, Patrick and Paige. Relationships with their current and former players are essential for their team. Patrick and Rae Beth have been together since high school and she knew from the beginning that he wanted to pursue a career in coaching and she has continued to support that passion for 27 years. Rae Beth can not only be found on the sidelines each Friday night, but also as a probation officer that helps support several youth in Whiteside County. Beth will be honored at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 9 at Fulton HS.
Tim Haak ‘s wife, Chris Haak, has been instrumental in his successful high school coaching career. Coach Haak is retired from Harvard High School. Chris not only served the Harvard Hornets football team but the community as well by serving on various boards such as the Educational Foundation which has helped raise over $1 million dollars for the students of Harvard School District. She supported the athletes by feeding them, getting them where they needed to be when parents weren’t available as well as supporting her husband on Friday nights. Tim and Chris as the proud parents of Shane (Cassandra) and Mallory (Tony) and 3 grandchildren, Charnette, Gianna and Benson. Chris will be honored at Harvard HS football field on Saturday, October 25 at noon.
Rae Beth and Chris will each be awarded $500 to use as they wish for themselves. In addition, the John and Judy Elder foundation will donate $500 each to The Alzheimer’s Association in Lower and Haak’s family name.
Judy Elder was a devoted wife of 67 years and number one fan of Hall of Fame Coach John K. Elder, Alexis High School. Throughout her life, she put her faith into action by lovingly raising her family of seven children, contributing to the community of Alexis, and cheering for John and his Cardinal teams. Judy passed away in January of 2024 after a brief illness.
