Pamela Jean Laskey Hayes 1953-2010

LASKEY HAYES

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/7/2011 at 21:19:54

Mapleton Press
9 December 2010

Pamela Jean Laskey Hayes died on Sunday, November 28, 2010, in Mapleton at the age of 57. Pamela was born on October 17, 1953 in Hammond, Indiana to Diane and Les Laskey. She was the middle child out of three girls. Pam’s family moved to Covina, California when she was a baby. Growing up in Covina, she graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1971, where she enjoyed being on the drill team. She married Bob Marcia in 1972 and they had a daughter, Jennifer Marcia, that same year. They divorced three short years later and Pam raised her daughter as a single mother. She worked various jobs to make ends meet. Later, in 1991, she had a son Tyler Kutsch, with her soul mate, Jerry Kutsch, who passed away in 1995, when Tyler was four years old. She went to college at Mt. Sac and graduated with a degree in Paralegal. Pam and Tyler moved to Mapleton, Iowa in 2008 to be near her daughter and four grandchildren. She also became family with the Wood family in Mapleton.

In March 2009, Pam was diagnosed with the fatal A.L.S. (Lou Gehrigs Disease) She fought a long hard battle with A.L.S. as it took away her ability to move, walk, talk, eat and finally breathe. She passed away at 4:44 a.m. November 28, 2010 at Maple Heights Nursing Home, where she resided for three and one-half months, after a long strong fight.

She enjoyed year sales, antiques, collecting coca cola and flamingo memorabilia. She took pride in her four grandchildren. She loved being on the interment and playing Farmville, her dog, Babe, playing pool, going to concerts, being on the back of a motorcycle, finding a bargain, and BBQ’S. She was a hard worker until she could no longer walk. She was a member of the Faith Bible Church in Mapleton.

Survivors include her daughter, Jenna Marcia Tessier; one son Tyler Kutsch; son-in-law Rob Wood; four grandchildren, Ashley Haworth, Jacob Haworth, Carissa Tessier and Holly Tessier all of Castana, Iowa; her parents Diane and Harry Butterbaugh of Covina, California and Les and Marilyn Laskey of Mohave Valley, Arizona; sisters Debi Jo Strunk of Fresno, California and Barbara Slaby of Corona, California; nieces Tristyn Turner of Fresno, California and Cori Rameriz of Fontana, California; nephew Charlie Robinson of Las Vegas, Nevada; three great nieces and three great nephews; many cousins; in-laws Mike and Betty Wood of Mapleton, Iowa; and many friends and loved ones who loved and supported and whom will miss her.

In her short time on earth, the family knows that Pamela touched many lives, and thanks M.D.A. of Omaha, A.L.S. of Omaha, all the staff of Burgess Hospice of Siouxland and Maple Heights Nursing Home and its staff for the assistance provided to her during her illness.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton with Pastor Kurt Seboe officiating. Message in music included “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli, “Sissy’s Song” by Alan Jackson, “Cryin for Me” (Wayman’s Songs) by Toby Keith, “Angel” by Sarah McLachian and “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton. Interment will be at a later date at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Apple Valley, California.

Family suggest in lieu of flowers that monetary donation be made in Pam’s name to the First State Bank Plus, 414 Main Street, Mapleton, Iowa 51034 to help with final arrangements.