Gerald W. "Jerry" Hayes I

Gerald Walter Hayes I "Jerry" "Abe" "Papa," age 83 of Harding, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at home on his farm.

Funeral Service held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN with Rev. Mark Skinner officiating. Visitation held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday at the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls and 10 to 11 A.M. on Thursday at the church in Brainerd, MN. Military Rites conducted by the Pierz American Legion Post #341. Caring for Jerry and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN.

He was born October 10, 1942 in Lastrup, MN, to the late Lester L. Hayes and Josephine O. (Orzechowski) Hayes. He graduated from Little Falls High School and went on to serve in the United States Army in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to his family farm in Harding, MN and soon after married Lucinda A. Larson. Together they started a family and he spent the rest of his life raising Appaloosa Horses and beef cattle. Texas Longhorns were his never-ending passion until the end. Off the farm, he worked a short time at Ford Motor Company in the cities before becoming an Artificial Inseminator for MidWest Breeders. He remained with that company for many years as it changed from Midwest Breeder to 21st Century Genetics to Genex and finally to CRI. He then retired for a short while before returning to work again, this time with Great Northern Logging Company. Eventually, he decided to completely retire and spent the rest of his days enjoying the farm and dedicating his free time to his wife, children and many grandchildren.

He remained actively involved in his community over the years serving as Platte Township treasurer and on numerous boards such as Faith Community Church, Mid Minnesota Cattleman's Association, Northland Teamsters Riding and Driving Club and many more. He was also a member of the Pierz American Legion Post and a Lifetime member of the Appaloosa Horse Club.

Jerry is survived by daughters, Andrea "Tic" (Allen) Fleischhacker, Dondi (Tom) Schubert, Jenean (Brian) Woitalla and son, Gerald "Jerry" "Spud" (Stacy) Hayes II; grandchildren, Zaryn (Nick) Schwab, Tori (Eric) Wisneski, Codey (Michelle) Fleischhacker, Chelsea (Derek) Anderson, Jamie (Haley) Schubert, Ty (Marcy) Schubert, Lane (Kylee Howard) Schubert, Tate Schubert, Matt (Tracy) Woitalla, Miranda (Danny) Cobenais, Marisa Hayes and Mariah Hayes; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Emory Fleischhacker, Sophie and Lucas Schwab, Hank, Josie, Blair and Stella Woitalla, Skylar Schubert, Lindy Schubert, Waylon Cobenais, and baby Wisneski on the way; brothers, Marcel "Sonny"(Jean) Hayes and Rhynardt "Butch" (Esther) Hayes; sister, Karen (Bobby) Foss; brothers-in-law, Larry Larson, Mark (Nancy) Larson, David (Candy) Larson, Tim Larson, Chris (Jo) Larson and Kyle Larson; loyal dogs, Maggie and Cash.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Cindy; both parents; sisters, Eleanor Tretter, Ellen Tretter and Sharon Hayes; brother, Lyle Hayes; as well as in-laws, Elmer Tretter, Marvin Tretter, Dorothy Larson, Cheryl (Bruce) Gangon, and Heather Kleinschmidt.