HENRY T. “HANK” HAYES, 80, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in Quimby, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Alan Cummins will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be held an hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial of the cremains will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa.

The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa 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, Iowa 51012.

Hank was born on April 3, 1946 to Woodrow “Red” and Helen (Hansen) Hayes at Clear Lake, South Dakota. He attended Toronto High School in Toronto, South Dakota. He graduated in 1964 with a class of 12 students, 8 boys and 4 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 the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, South Dakota.

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 8 years on the Cherokee City Council, was a Cherokee Parks and Recreation Board member, served 9 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, South Dakota; brothers-in-law Ritch (Diane) Wilson of Brandon, South Dakota, Roger Wilson of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Robert Wilson of Brookings, South Dakota, Ron Wilson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Wayne (Karen) Johnson of Colton, South Dakota; Nephews and nieces, Jason (Sara) Laumer, Appleton, Wisconsin, Kjërsti (Scott) Deckert, Lincoln, Nebraska, Peder Laumer-Lincoln, Nebraska, Michelle (Dana) Pliska, Brandon, South Dakota, Jesse Wilson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eli Chaney, Shilo (Ralph) Harwood, 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, Sante Fe, New Mexico, Julie (Dennis) Walkins of Spearfish, South Dakota, Monie (Craig) Smith of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Clark (Jenny) Holborn of Watertown, South Dakota, Susan (Roland) Goens of Freeman, South Dakota, Kay (Robert) Olson, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Roger (Ruth) Hansen of Arlington, South Dakota, , Terry (Diane) Hansen of Overland Park, Kansas, Barb Stowell (Thomas Fretham) of Clear Lake, South Dakota, Steve Hansen (Eunice Alexander) of Clear Lake, South Dakota, Ken (Teresa) Hansen of McKinney, Texas, Rick (Donna) Hansen of Mankato, Minnesota, Kris (Mark) Stilson of Madison, Wisconsin, Kathy (Greg) Borchard of Dousman, Wisconsin, and Ray and Harold Erickson.