Wayne Francis Hayes, age 90, of Brainerd, MN, died Friday, April 9th, 2021 surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Willmar, MN, after fighting a brief battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial for Wayne will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be held at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5-7p on Thursday, April 15th as well as one hour prior to the 12p.m. service at St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Friday, April 16, 2021. Following the service at 2p, interment with Military Honors will take place at Minnesota State Veteran Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
Wayne F. Hayes was born to Frank and Inis (Bourassa) Hayes on July 14, 1930, in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from Washington High School in 1948.He married Joanne (Stallman) on April 3rd, 1951, at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
He was on active duty during the Korean Conflict. He remained a Full-time National Guardsmen and was employed at Camp Ripley for 30 years. He was a CW5 (bvt) and received many awards both military and civilian over his 42 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the 194th Regiment. He served as a Post Commander at American Legion Post 255 in Brainerd.
In his spare time he enjoyed watching sports on TV. He was an avid Timberwolves, Twins and Vikings fan. He enjoyed going to see these teams as well. He looked forward to his regular poker games with dear friends throughout his life. He had the biggest sweet tooth and loved taking his family out to eat.
He so loved his family and days before his death he said, “I have the best family, the best kids, the best grandkids and wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents (Frank and Inis Hayes), his wife (Joanne), his daughter (Nadine), and great grand-daughter (Gwenyth Hoskins).
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law: Dick and Betty Jo Hayes of Brainerd, MN; and his children: Terry (Brad) Backhaus of Willmar, MN, and Bruce Hayes (Jeri Ward) of Brainerd, MN; his four grandchildren: Jessica (Chris) Norling of Brainerd, MN, Jennifer (Scott) Hoskins of Superior, WI; Casey (Chase) Myers of Moorhead, MN; and Drue Backhaus (Olivia Crays) of Chicago, IL; and lastly his five great-grandchildren: Alexis, Griffyn, Remington, Noah and Kiah.
Memorials are preferred to the Brainerd American Legion Post 255.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Wayne F. Hayes hosted by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home.
Wayne Francis Hayes, age 90, of Brainerd, MN, died Friday, April 9th, 2021 surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Willmar, MN, after fighting a brief battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial for Wayne will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be held at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5-7p on Thursday, April 15th as well as one hour prior to the 12p.m. service at St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Friday, April 16, 2021. Following the service at 2p, interment with Military Honors will take place at Minnesota State Veteran Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
Wayne F. Hayes was born to Frank and Inis (Bourassa) Hayes on July 14, 1930, in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from Washington High School in 1948.He married Joanne (Stallman) on April 3rd, 1951, at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
He was on active duty during the Korean Conflict. He remained a Full-time National Guardsmen and was employed at Camp Ripley for 30 years. He was a CW5 (bvt) and received many awards both military and civilian over his 42 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the 194th Regiment. He served as a Post Commander at American Legion Post 255 in Brainerd.
In his spare time he enjoyed watching sports on TV. He was an avid Timberwolves, Twins and Vikings fan. He enjoyed going to see these teams as well. He looked forward to his regular poker games with dear friends throughout his life. He had the biggest sweet tooth and loved taking his family out to eat.
He so loved his family and days before his death he said, “I have the best family, the best kids, the best grandkids and wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents (Frank and Inis Hayes), his wife (Joanne), his daughter (Nadine), and great grand-daughter (Gwenyth Hoskins).
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law: Dick and Betty Jo Hayes of Brainerd, MN; and his children: Terry (Brad) Backhaus of Willmar, MN, and Bruce Hayes (Jeri Ward) of Brainerd, MN; his four grandchildren: Jessica (Chris) Norling of Brainerd, MN, Jennifer (Scott) Hoskins of Superior, WI; Casey (Chase) Myers of Moorhead, MN; and Drue Backhaus (Olivia Crays) of Chicago, IL; and lastly his five great-grandchildren: Alexis, Griffyn, Remington, Noah and Kiah.
Memorials are preferred to the Brainerd American Legion Post 255.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Wayne F. Hayes hosted by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home.
