Obituary of Walter Ross Hayes

May 15, 1924 – October 18, 2018 As the leaves were falling and before the harvest was finished, our beloved husband and father passed away at the age of 94. He was the youngest child born to RB & Maud Hayes who immigrated from Utah and settled in the Gleichen area. There he grew up and eventually took over the farm. During his youth, he attended school in both the city and country, riding a horse across the field to Shamrock. He attended TECH in Calgary where he met Olive Elizabeth How from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. They were married in August 1949 and had three girls, Brenda, (Terry) Tower; Helen Hayes and Norma Jean (Doug) MacRae. He loved to read, enjoyed the art of carpentry and spent hours building and remodeling residences and commercial properties. He was an asset to the community. They retired and moved to Strathmore in 1994, leaving the farm to be managed by Darrell and (Mona) Vermunt but returned to help during the busy seasons. He had the best life with no regrets. Together he and Olive travelled, enjoyed cruising, and for several years, wintered in Arizona. His legacy continues on through his wife of 69 years, their daughters and 5 grandchildren: Aerin Tower, Curtis (Brandi) Tower; Dylan (Shauna) Fidler, Dayna Fidler and Cassie MacRae (Thomas) Martin and 11 great grand children. He was predeceased by his grandson, John Ross Hayes MacRae in 2013. Please join us in a Celebration of Life on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at the Strathmore Travelodge (350 Ridge Road) between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. In Walter’s memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to either the Strathmore District Health Foundation (Strathmore Hospital 200 Brent Blvd. Strathmore, Alberta TIP 1J9) or the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society (PO Box 2154, Strathmore, Alberta TIP 1K2). To send condolences, please click the link below or email directly to condolences@wheatlandfuneralhome.ca.