Harry James Hays, age 78, of Arkdale, Wisconsin passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Pastor Sam Downey will officiate. Interment with military honors will be at the Monroe Center Cemetery, Town of Monroe, Adams County, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home.
Harry was born November 25, 1937 in Adams, Wisconsin to Clifford and Sarah (Carlson) Hays. He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1956. Harry enlisted in the United States Navy in 1957 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He married Sally Strom in 1960. This marriage ended in divorce.
After he was discharged from the service he purchased his farm in Monroe Center which he farmed until failing health. For years he worked along-side of his father in the woods pulping. Harry was a full time dairy farmer and owned his own business installing wells & septic systems. He retired after 24 years as a rural mail carrier for the USPS in Arkdale.
He married Gloria J. Fell on December 3, 1988 in Arkdale, Wisconsin.
Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially his annual trip to Wyoming, spending time with his brother, sons, nephews, and friends. He was an avid follower of the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks. Harry loved his western novels especially Louis L’amour. In his later years he enjoyed filling his time splitting firewood and playing cards.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford & Sarah Hays; Step-daughter, Sandra Fell and Best Friend, Robert Haakenstad.
Survivors:
Wife: Gloria Hays of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Daughter: Sarah (Perry Winder) Virnig of Mauston, Wisconsin
Daughter: Kathleen (Fredrick) Brechlin of Oregon, Wisconsin
Son: Ronald (Terry) Hays of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Son: Jason (Ann Hoile) Hays of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Step-Son: Robin (Sheila Smedbron) Fell of Friendship, Wisconsin
Step-Son: Joel (Michelle Puerling) Fell of Adams, Wisconsin
Step-Daughter: Rhonda (Tom) Kops of Kirkland, Washington
Brother: Dwaine (Janet) Hays of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Aunt: Emily (Carlson) Rakstang of Madison, Wisconsin
further survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Kathy: Remember that your loss is shared by many friends who care and that you’re in our thoughts and hearts and in our every prayer. May you find the courage to face tomorrow in the love that surrounds you today.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with you and your family.
Gloria and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Harry was a very loving and caring man. He so loved his family and friends. I will miss him dearly. God Bless You and the family. May God hold you in the Palm of His hands and comfort you always!
So sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with you.
Hays Families,
My deepest condolences. I pray you will find joy in the memories.
To Ron and all of Harry’s family, you have my deepest sympathies.
My sincere condolences to the entire Hays family!! I have had the opportunity to have many memories of Harry, and he surly will be missed!!
Ryan Jossart
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
We have fond memories of Harry and wish to express our condolences. We met Harry and Gloria in Marana, Arizona quite some years ago. They would frequent our steak fry’s at the VFW Post 5990. Harry was a vet and wanted to give back. We also enjoyed playing Euchere at our house as well as Harry and Gloria’s winter home in Marana, Arizona. Harry loved to go to the VFW Gamble Against Cancer at VFW Post 549 in Tucson, Arizona when he could and always supported the VFW Charity Events. Harry was proud of his service and always gave back to the Veterans of this Country. We had the privilege of visiting Harry and Gloria at their home in Wisconsin and had a wonderful time. Pam actually got to ride on Harry’s new air conditioned tractor and we had many great Euchere games. We will also miss our motorcycles rides to the swap meets in Coolidge, Arizona. Gloria and family you are in our prayers. We will miss you Harry, our good friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!!
Sarah, Sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. May God be with ya’ll as you mourn the loss of your father. Good memories back in the day when we were all very young.. R.I.P. Harry…
We want to send our deepest sympathy to Gloria and the rest of the Hays Family in Harry’s passing. It was good to see and talk to him and Gloria at our class reunion in May of this year. It was such a shock to hear this, as he looked so good and healthy just a couple months ago. God’s Blessing to all of you, keep the memories of all the past years.
R.I.P. Harry. Glad i got to meet you at the Roadhouse, Peg and i will miss your humor..oh and, glad you got to see your new driveway before you left us..so sorry for you loss family..good man.
We are so sorry for your loss. Harry will be missed.
Thoughts and Prayers are with You!
A great man will be missed by many. Deepest Sympathy to family and friends.
Sarah
I am so sorry for the home going of your father. May God comfort & strengthen you during this solemn time. Love you always….
Valerie (Perry’s daughter)
Many great memories!
So sorry to hear, Gloria and family. Harry will be missed a bunch. Hope the best for you.
Gloria and Jason and Hayes family- so sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Harry maybe you and Morrie can play some horseshoes up in heaven now! So very glad to have met and become friends with you guys. Hugs and prayers for Hayes family.
Gloria and Jason, we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. Candy and Jim
I’m still in shock n haven’t accepted that I have lost my Grandpa. ? RIP Grandpa
Gloria, I am so very sorry to hear about Harry. I have enjoyed getting to know both of you and traveling with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Glory, so sorry to hear about Harry…thoughts and prayers are with you.
So shocked to hear about Harry he was a good friend and neighbor and will be missed.
Sorry to hear of Harry’s passing my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you in this time of loss.
So sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. My condolences to all of the Hays family.
We are so sorry for your loss. May the Lord lift up all and give comfort in your time of need. Our Mom, Vi York, also sends her condolences.
Gloria, Ron and Jason, We are sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. You have our sincere condolences. We have known Harry for many years as a friend and neighbor and we will miss him.
may God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time. so sorry on your loss
We send our sincere condolences. So sorry for your loss. We are happy we got together for class reunions, as recent as this year.
So sorry for your loss.
Prayers and hugs.
We’re so sorry to hear of Harrys passing. It is a great loss that will be felt by all who knew him.
My prayers go out to the Hays family. Sorry for your lost.
So sorry for your families loss
So sorry for ur loss.