Delores E Hays

Funeral Services for Delores E. Hays will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Dr. Del Weimers officiating. Interment will be in the Edison Cemetery at Edison, Nebraska on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Delores E. Hays, 86 years of age, of Edison, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at Muscatine, Iowa. Delores was born February 18, 1924, at Hildreth, Nebraska, the only child born to Onno and Gertrude (Dunn) Gardels. She received her education from Franklin Public School in Franklin, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1941. Delores then pursued higher education at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she enjoyed leading the band as drum major. She concluded her education by attending nursing school in Kansas City, obtaining a registered nursing degree. Following her education, Delores began her nursing career at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege.

On April 18, 1948, she was united in marriage to Thomas W. Hays of Edison and to this union five daughters were born: Onamae, Judy, Delene, Roxilana, and Synoma. The family made their home on the Hays family farm east of Edison where Tom was born.
Delores and Tommy enjoyed 55 years of marriage, building one of the top Grade A dairy farms in Nebraska. Together they spent many hours supporting their daughters in the 4-H program, functioning as leaders and mentors for many kids. She especially enjoyed the pinochle club they belonged to for over 50 years and the various performances of her five daughters. Delores and Tommy worked side-by-side in the Amway Corporation for over 40 years, making many wonderful friends. She continued utilizing her nursing skills caring for her husband through his illness. Following Tom's death on February 11, 2004, Delores remained on the farm until her recent failing health caused her to reside with her daughter, Delene, who cared for her over the last six months.

She leaves to mourn four daughters: Judy Anderson of Lincoln, Nebraska; Delene McConnaha and husband, Parke of Muscatine, Iowa; Roxilana Hays and Synoma Hays of Melrose Park, Illinois; six grandchildren: Alexis Bogus and her husband, Michael, Brian Waddel and his wife, Tami, Amy Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Jill Yakel and Vincent Costante; 13 great-grandchildren: Kayla, Blake, Joshua and Seth Bogus; Paige and Noah Waddel, DaNae, Alivea and Teniece Green; Blaise Anderson; Monte and Zachary Corder and Logan Yakel, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband, Delores was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Onamae Waddel.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m.-7:30p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.