Donna Mae Hayes, age 88, lifetime resident of Council Grove, Kansas passed away October 23, 2020, at Diversicare of Council Grove.
Donna was born March 9, 1932 to Theodore and Velma Miller Litke in Council Grove. She graduated from Council Grove High School in 1950. A couple years later, Robert Wayne Hayes drove to Donna’s in his yellow Mercury, with the rag top down and asked to start courting. They later married in November 1954 and lived happily ever after until his death on June 26, 2003. Donna worked at various places, she was a phone operator, worked with Skeen Tax Services, her and Wayne owned and operated Hayes Oil Company as well as Hayes Carry Out.
She enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, camping, and annual South Texas trips with friends and family. She was famous for making rag rugs and she also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Donna loved her family and was proud of each and every one of them.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wayne, daughter Lisa Wilburn, sister Mary Ann Allen, and brothers Allen, Frank, Teddy and Jim Litke.
She is survived by her sons: Brad Hayes and wife Kristie and Mike Hayes and wife Gina, all of Council Grove; son-in-law Larry Wilburn; sisters-in-law LaVerna Kufahl and Betty Litke; grandchildren: Kaysee Hayes (Becky), Ryne Hayes (Michelle), Nathan Hayes (Juli), Erin Erichsen (Matt), Kailea Horn (Jarryd), Erica Effland (Kaleb), and Larisa Wilburn; 14 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Donna will sadly missed by all.
A graveside service celebrating Donna’s life will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, October 28th at Sunny Slope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational UCC or Christian Church and sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.