Dolores Edna Zellmer Hayes

Dolores was born on September1, 1929, to Ed and Helen Zellmer of Davenport. She grew up on a farm 3.5 miles South East of town. This would be her home for her entire life. She attended Davenport schools and graduated from high school in 1947. She tried college for a short while, but it just wasn’t for her. She went to work at the Davenport clinic for two years, and then worked at the phone office as an operator for eight years.

Dolores met Kenneth in 1949. They were married on April 30, 1954 at the United Methodist Church in Davenport. For five years Dolores and Kenneth lived in town, and then moved out to the farm where Kenneth began farming with Ed. Dolores and Kenneth raised four children; John, Elizabeth, Richard, and Resa.

Dolores belonged to various civic clubs over the years, but devoted the majority of her energy raising her family and working on the farm. Mom loved gardening, and her flower beds were her pride and joy. In 1976 she developed another passion, and that was working with children. She was hired as a par educator and worked at the elementary school in Davenport for 31 years. It was almost impossible for mom to go to town and not run into a former student who would greet her with “Hi Mrs. Hayes!” Another of Dolores’s passions was reading. She was a voracious reader, and she loved to read out loud to her own children first, then to her children at school, and finally to her grandchildren.

Anyone who knew Dolores knew about her sense of humor and how she loved to laugh. Her sharp wit never failed her even in the end as she joked with the nurses who were caring for her.

Dolores is survived by her husband of 58 years, Kenneth, her children John Hayes of Grandview, Elizabeth Hall (Rick) of Burbank, Richard Hayes (Denise) of Davenport, and Resa Hayes of Spokane and her sister Eleanor Anderson of Spokane, Nephews Tim Anderson of Spokane, Nick Anderson of Walla Walla. Sister in Law, Zona Newbie of Yakima, Brother in Law Warren Hayes of Barrington, IL. Dolores is also survived by her grandchildren who she adored: Allison (Alex) Barrett of Pasco, Jillian (Travis) Mahler of Eltopia, Aaron Hall of Burbank, Megan Hayes and Camryn Hayes of Davenport, Ryan (Denise) James of Davenport, Aaron (Heather) James of West End, Justin (Tiffany) Bachman of Fort Riley Kansas. Great grandchildren: Wesley Mahler of Eltopia. Josh, Nick, Ashlynn and Jacob of Davenport, Josh, Shalee, Brianna, Daniel and Julia of West End, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, Washington. Pastor Steve McLachlan will officiate. Please visit www.stratefuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook. Memorials may be made in Dolores’ name to the donor’s choice.

Some people have the great fortune to be able to leave a legacy that continues on long after they are gone. Dolores left her legacy not only to her own family but to hundreds of children that she taught over the years. Her life reminds us all to laugh every day, read a good book, take time to sit down and “commune” or visit with friends and family, appreciate flowers. Dedicate yourself to those you love, sing a silly song, give gifts lavishly, and say the important things out loud like “thank you so much”, and “I love you”.

We love you and miss you, mom. Surely, goodness and mercy have followed you all the days of your life and now you are dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.