Merlyn (Bud) Hayes was born on a farm in rural Clarissa, MN to Pearl/ne/ Schmidt and Justin Hayes on August, 23, 1925, the eldest of ten children. He was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vesta, MN, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend,MN.
Bud served his country in the US Navy from 1943 through 1946 and was honorably discharged. He moved to Redwood Falls and was employed at the Ford and Mercury dealership. While there he met his future spouse, Iris E. Gaffney. They married on June 5, 1948 and became the parents of four boys. In 1965 Bud and Iris purchased the Ford and Mercury dealership in Tracy, MN, which they owned until late 1991. Bud was very involved in his community and church.
After retirement Bud and Iris spent their winters in Mesa, AZ through 2007.
Bud passed away August 6, 2018.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Iris, and six brothers: Robert, Melvin, Vernell, Orville, Lloyd and Keith.
He is survived by his sons Bryan (Valerie) Tracy, Dennis (Judythe) Tracy, James (Carly) Park Rapids, and Charles (Constance) St. Louis Park along with eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Marlene Scharmann of Victoria and Shirley Hadley of Baldwin, WI and by his brother, Gary of Browerville, MN.
A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.