Darlene J. Hayes

Darlene J. Hayes, age 70, of Tama, died on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at the Grandview Acres in Toledo due to a lengthy illness. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama with Father Keith Birch officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be Tuesday March 22, 2005 from 3-8 p.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Darlene J. Hayes was born July 16, 1934 on the family farm east of Tama. She was the third daughter of Otto and Clara (Vojtech) Kupka.

She attended Otter Creek #7 country school, east of Tama, St. Patrick's Catholic School and graduated from Tama High School, class of 1952. After high school, she lived briefly in Sacramento, CA and was called home at her father's death. It was then that she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) M. Hayes. They married October 17, 1956 and made their home at 907 Hall Street, Tama until 1974 when they moved east of Tama to Darlene's family farm. She has been in her present home at 1003 Sixth Street in Tama since 1998.

Darlene was the proud mother of three children, Mary Beth (Randy) Morrow of Wayland, IA, twins Jim (Dawn) Hayes of Spencer, IA and Janet (Stacy) Skala of Tama, IA. Darlene was a homemaker, farmwife and a member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, C.C.W. and the Bible Study Group of St. Patrick's, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, Aerie 2828 in Tama, the Enright-Schrader American Legion Auxiliary, Post #73, Tama, the Mothers Club, and the HALOS. She loved life and especially enjoyed camping, traveling, cruising, vegetable and flower gardening, church activities, cooking, baking, coffeeing, and her many friends and neighbors. One of her greatest joys was caring for others and celebrating the special events in their lives. Her grandchildren were the light and joy of her life. "Mamaw" was their most avid and vocal supporter and never missed an event if she was able. They are Katie Zmolek, Tama, IA, Jay Morrow, Marshall, MO, Mitchell Zmolek, Cedar Rapids, IA, Melissa Kos, Iowa City, IA, Gwen Morrow, Maryville, MO, Tad Morrow, Wayland, IA, Zane Morrow, Wayland, IA, Judd Hayes, Spencer, IA and Emily Hayes, Spencer, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991 and her sister, Bernadine Bradley in 1997.

Surviving are her children, grandchildren, a sister, Bernadette Van Gampleare of Mason City, IA; many nieces, nephews and her faithful companion, "Jiggs."

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her honor.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama is handling the arrangements.