Hayes, Verna Belle (Dodge) 1935 - 2015

HAYES, DODGE, JOHNSON, PETERSON, BUHR, GJERE, AVILA, STONE, BLEGEN, MANGIARACINA, LONG, NEEF, KAMP

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/24/2015 at 10:44:27

Verna B. Hayes, age 80, of Decorah, IA, died peacefully surrounded by her family, Saturday evening, April 18, 2015 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 24, 2015 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 P.M. Thursday, April 23 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church.

Verna Belle (Dodge) Hayes was born April 8, 1935 at home in Staples, Minnesota, the daughter of Lyle I. and Audrey Mae (Johnson) Dodge. As her dad was in the military, her family lived in numerous locations eventually settling in Two Harbors, Minnesota. She attended Minnehaha Elementary and Two Harbors High School.

Verna was united in marriage to Paul W. (Billy) Hayes on October 10, 1951 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Two Harbors. This union was blessed with five children: Michael, Linda, Laura, Lanea, and Patrick.

Her first employment was at Bit of Norway in Two Harbors. She was engaged to Paul when he was in the military and resided in Decorah for a short time. After Paul’s military service they moved to Chicago. In 1961 they made their home in Decorah, Paul’s home town, and continued to grow and raise their family. During the early years in Decorah Verna worked outside the home at the Cliff House Restaurant, Deco Products and Mike’s Fruit Market, where she was able to continue her enjoyment of gardening and flowers. Verna also enjoyed painting of all kinds, including, rosemaling, tolepainting, rocks, gourds and saw blades. She also enjoyed playing cards, listening to music, but most of all she loved talking and mingling with family, friends and most anyone, as she was a people person with the “ gift of gab”. Verna’s home was filled with love and sentiments to remind her of all the treasured little things in daily life.

Verna was admitted into Aase Haugen Senior Services on January 27, 2015.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father Ralph J. Peterson; her husband Paul on September 8, 2000; her sister Velva Jean Dodge; her brother in infancy Leon; one granddaughter Misty Hayes; one great-grandson Angelice Buhr; and her “smiling” dog Cappy.

Verna is survived by her five children: Michael P. (Judy) Hayes of Stites, ID, Linda J. (Arden) Gjere of Decorah, IA, Laura A. (Richard) Hayes of Simms, MT, Lanea M. Avila of Moriarty, NM and Patrick I. (Crystal) Hayes of Lockridge, IA; ten grandchildren: Tierra Stone, Joshua (Kelly) Blegen, Jessica Mangiaracina, Michael (Jessica) Blegen, Megan (Jacob) Long, Heather (Jeremiah) Neef, Arielle Avila, Angel Kamp, Savannah Hayes and Colton Hayes; eleven great-grandchildren; and one step-brother, Donald Peterson.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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