Henry T. “Hank” Hayes, 80, of Cherokee passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Quimby.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, July 27, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Alan Cummins will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be held an hour prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial of the cremains will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee. Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Hank’s honor to the Cherokee Education Foundation c/o Burkhardt & Dawson, CPAs, 793 N. 2nd St., Cherokee, IA 51012.
Hank was born on April 3, 1946, to Woodrow “Red” and Helen (Hansen) Hayes at Clear Lake, S.D. He attended Toronto High School in Toronto, S.D. He graduated in 1964 with a class of 12 students, eight boys and four girls. He went on to pursue a physical education degree at General Beadle State College, currently Dakota State University, where he met his wife, Ruth Wilson, as they were both nominated for freshman class president and lost.
Hank and Ruth were united in marriage on June 15, 1968, at Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, S.D.
He worked for the Cherokee Daily Times in ad sales and then sold insurance for Farm Bureau and assisted people with estate planning. Hank was a man of service and gave both monetarily and his time to the community. He served for 35 years as a volunteer fireman and worked hard seeking out grants for equipment for the department. He served eight years on the Cherokee City Council, was a Cherokee Parks and Recreation Board member, served nine years on the Cherokee Country Club board and was a past president of the WHS athletic boosters. He served on the faculty committee for Western Iowa Tech Community College. He was a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served on the finance committee and serving on funeral luncheon committees. He was a 15-gallon blood donor and was a chauffeur to anyone that needed a ride to doctor’s appointments, or to and from the airport. He volunteered delivering meals, and was a generous donator for Toys for Tots and Stan’s Needy Children Fund. In 2018, Hank was named Cherokee’s Citizen of the Year.
Hank loved to play golf, going for coffee with groups at both Hy-Vee and Family Table, was an avid baseball fan, and cherished any time being spent with family and friends.
Hank’s family would like to thank those surrounding Hank during his final time on Earth. We are so grateful that Hank was with a circle of friends as he departed on his final journey home.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ruth Hayes in 2020; brother Robert “Bob” Hayes in 2024; niece Aslan Wilson; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Left to cherish Hank’s memory is his sister-in-law Rita (Joel) Laumer of Chancellor, S.D.; brothers-in-law: Ritch (Diane) Wilson of Brandon, S.D.; Roger Wilson of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Robert Wilson of Brookings, S.D.; Ron Wilson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Wayne (Karen) Johnson of Colton, S.D.; nephews and nieces: Jason (Sara) Laumer of Appleton, Wis.; Kjërsti (Scott) Deckert of Lincoln, Neb.; Peder Laumer of Lincoln, Neb.; Michelle (Dana) Pliska of Brandon, S.D.; Jesse Wilson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Eli Chaney and Shilo (Ralph) Harwood of Couer d'Alene, Idaho; great-nieces and nephews: Abby, Ethan, Isaac, Caden and Tyler Laumer; Maren and Norah Deckert; Micah Rocha and Chloe Rocha; great-great-nieces and nephews: Hannah, Amber, Gavin, Jaxson, Zephyr, Xyler, Sylas and Kinsley; cousins: Mike (Jodi) Odland of Sante Fe, N.M.; Julie (Dennis) Walkins of Spearfish, S.D.; Monie (Craig) Smith of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Clark (Jenny) Holborn of Watertown, S.D.; Susan (Roland) Goens of Freeman, S.D.; Kay (Robert) Olson of Rapid City, S.D.; Roger (Ruth) Hansen of Arlington, S.D.; Terry (Diane) Hansen of Overland Park, Kan.; Barb Stowell (Thomas Fretham) of Clear Lake, S.D.; Steve Hansen (Eunice Alexander) of Clear Lake, S.D.; Ken (Teresa) Hansen of McKinney, Texas; Rick (Donna) Hansen of Mankato, Minn.; Kris (Mark) Stilson of Madison, Wis.; Kathy (Greg) Borchard of Dousman, Wis.; and Ray and Harold Erickson.
