Merlene F. Hayes

Merlene F. Hayes (nee Watkins), age 81 years, of Campbellsport was called home to be with the Lord on February 5, 2022 at Froedtert West Bend Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Merlene was born on February 27, 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa to Walter and Frances Watkins (nee Kautz).  The family moved to Wisconsin in 1951.  Merlene graduated from Fond du Lac Goodrich High School in 1957.

She was united in marriage to Howard F. Hayes on April 11, 1959 at First Presbyterian Church in Fond du Lac.  Together they operated the family’s multigenerational dairy farm Valley-Drive Holsteins.   Howard passed in 2008.

Merlene loved gardening, sewing and many crafts, but her true passion was cooking and baking for family, friends and organizations she and her family were active in.  This led her to become a Pampered Chef consultant and eventually to compile a family cookbook to leave as a legacy of her lifetime labor of love.

She was also a 4-H leader and an active member of the South Byron, Fond du Lac Pomona, and Wisconsin State Granges as well as the local Homemakers and AMPI women’s group.  Through these groups and those that her children were active in she was able to share her cooking prowess.  Whether planning and coordinating meals for dozens at Grange Dairy Breakfasts and Junior Grange camps or Fond du Lac County Fair food stands, baking pies for Junior Holstein fundraisers or catering a meal for Vet Village staff meetings, “Mer” was in her glory knowing people were enjoying her cooking.

Those Merlene leaves behind to cherish her memory include her six children, Paula (Todd) Kruger, Jeffrey (Daryl Winter) Hayes, Krista (John) Sperger, Karla (John) Stumpf, Lisa (Terry “Squeak”) Blanckaert, and Rebecca (Todd) Green; ten grandchildren, Peter (Katie) Kruger, Erin (Shawn) Simmons, Jennifer (Philip) Smyth, Megan, Joshua and, Nicole Sperger, Emily and Austin Stumpf, Callie and Alex Green;  four great-grandchildren, Elaina, Hannah, Teddy, and Phoebe; four foster great-grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Watkins.  She is further survived by nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Howard; Merlene was preceded in death by two infant sons, Michael and Brian, and sister, Beverly Watkins.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be planned during the summer.

Inurnment will be at Ebenezer Cemetery in Lomira.

“Mom was selfless to the very end, with our well being always as her primary concern. Regardless of the situation she was always our staunchest defender and biggest advocate.  She opened her home to everyone. The food was abundant and it was often the main point of conversations.  These are the things we will hold dear to our hearts as her lasting legacy.”

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Froedtert Health Care System for their care and compassion.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Merlene’s arrangements. Please consider signing our online guest book (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family.