To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access https://www.youtube.com/@ZionMinot/streams
Harland Hayes, Minot, died December 6, 2023 at 97 years of age in a Minot assisted living center.
He was born on August 21,1926 to Harry and Emma. The oldest of three siblings (Noreen and Ralph), they had a simple life in rural western North Dakota.
He played fastpitch softball and baseball growing up and was schooled through grade 12. He had a stripped down Buick when he was young that could go very fast…and he drove it that way! At least he did until a highway patrol officer told him that he did not want to see that car again unless it was in a field helping with harvest. That was the end of Harland driving that car.
Following in the footsteps of his father, a WWI vet, he joined the US Army at 18 to serve as a Coxswain of an LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized) in WWII. He returned stateside and began working at Great Northern Railroad in the summer of 1947. He retired from there 45 years later at the age of sixty-two. After that, he said “I am on vacation twice a year…6 months at a time.”
Harland began writing love letters to Darlene Mergel in 1949 and they married on June 30, 1951. Together they had three children: Marcia, Mark (Billie Jo Radebaugh), and Monte (Dawn Otto); and two granddaughters: Shannon Hayes and Mallory Hayes. Harland leaves behind his family, a large extended family (loving shout-outs to Janet Sampson and Jim and Julie Budeau), and many friends.
Harland was preceded in death by his wife Darlene in 2007 and his brother Ralph, this past October.
Harland was a loving and kind husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He went “with the flow” in all areas of his life. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, square dancing, playing cards and dominos, and socializing at Edgewood Vista and the Moose Lodge. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Good Sam RV Club, Minot American Legion and VFW.
We are grateful for the care he received during his last days at Trinity Hospital, Edgewood Vista, and from CaringEdge Hospice.
We have been so blessed to have him in our lives for all these years. We will miss and love him always.
Those we love are never more than a thought away. For as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.
Celebration of Harland’s Life: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access https://www.youtube.com/@ZionMinot/streams
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, December 11, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church – Outdoor Enhancement Fund or to an organization dedicated to caring for the Veterans of our military.
