Mary Jane Walter Hayes

Funeral services for Mary Jane (Walter) Hayes were held on Friday, April 26, 2019 at Decatur City Auditorium.  Burial was in Hillcrest cemetery.  She passed away Easter Morning April 21, 2019.  She passed away at the Tekamah Care and Rehab Center in Tekamah.  She was 83.

Mary Jane was born on April 1, 1939 to Donald E. and Fried K (Seltz) Walter on the BIll Sears farm south of Decatur.  She was one of four children.  In her early years she attended Elm Creek school and graduated from Decatur High School in 1956.  She continued her education at Wayne State College and received her teaching certificate.   She began her teaching career at School District No. 10, the Busse School, a one room schoolhouse south of Decatur.  She continued teaching at the 6R school and then worked many years at the Decatur and Lyons-Decatur Northeast public schools.

She married Harold Dean Hayes at the Reorganized Later Day Saints Church at Decatur on May 25, 1958.  They raised three children: David Dean, Patricia Ann and Harold Dean, Jr.  Harold and Mary spent all 59 years of their married life residents of Decatur.

Mary Jane was very strong in her faith.  She was active in her church as a Sunday School Director and Bible School leader, Laidies Aid Officer and many, many other roles, She was always the first to volunteer to help others.  She was also very active in her community and Decatur held a very special place in her heart.  She was a charter member of the Decatur Fire Belles, Decatur Community Club Member, Village Board Member, and for over 20 years a Decatur Cemetery Board Member.  She was always baking for bake sales, church gatherings, funerals and those in need. 

She was preceded in death by; her husband and parents, brother, Joe Walter, brother's-in-law and sister's-in-law: Gene Rollins, Robert Senteney, Maurice and Ruby Hayes, Glen and Mary Lou Hayes, Lucille and George Meade, Pauline and Melvin Updike. Edythe and Clarence Svendsen, Cork and Shirlene Hayes, and baby Charles Hayes.

She is survived by her children: David (Debbie) Hayes of Omaha, Patty (Randy) Olson in Tekamah, and Harold Jr. of Decatur, sisters: Sylvia Rollins of Tekamah; Wilma (Dean) Hightree of Whiting, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren: Adam (Mary Ann) Tranmer of Ponca; Carrie (Nick) Rosenberry of Omaha; Kathleen Hayes (Rodney Sherman) of Omaha; Amanda (Scott) Reinhart of Albion; Dan (Amy) Hayes of Omaha; Abby (Brandon) Mathistad of Tekamah; Anders Olson of Lincoln; Lydia (Kurt) Veitenheimer of Council Bluffs; 16 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Memorials are suggested to the Decatur Senior Center, Decatur Museum or Decatur Fire and Rescue.

(Information taken from 50th Alumni Booklet May 2006.  Please send an e-mail to update information at any time.)

Spouse:  Harold D. Hayes

Children:  We have 3 grown children; David, Patricia & Harold.

Grandchildren:  David & wife Debbie have Adam, Katie & Danny; Patty and husband, Randy Olson have Carrie, Amanda, Abby and Anders.  Harold has on daughter, Lydia.

     After graduation I went to summer school and then started teaching country school.  I taught for nine years going to summer school and taking night classes to continue my education.

     I married Harold Hayes in May of 1958.  We have been in the construction and trucking business since then.  I worked at Decatur School many years doing an array of jobs.  The last eight years have been spent as Manager at Maple Villa Housing.

     We very much enjoy spending time with our children and grandchildren.  Ball games of all kinds have been a big part of our lives.

Updated: 4/4/09