Avis Janice Hayes

Avis Janice (Grothaus) Hayes, a devoted wife, mother, and daughter, peacefully departed this life on February 15, 2026 at the age of 86. Avis was born in rural Smith County Kansas on July 29, 1939 to Orval and Irene (Kindred) Grothaus. She grew up with a strong faith and a love of learning. She attended White Eagle rural school (Smith County, Kansas) and graduated from Smith Center High School in 1957. During her high school years, she worked as a bookkeeper for a wholesale food distributor and enjoyed participating in glee club and playing softball.

Later that year, on October 6, 1957, Avis married the love of her life, Gene Hayes. Their marriage was a beautiful example of love and partnership. They lived in rural Franklin County, Nebraska and Smith County, Kansas before establishing their farming partnership north of Naponee, Nebraska in 1965. There, they built a full and wonderful life side-by-side. Two daughters, Debra and Suzanne, blessed this union and were her pride and joy.

Avis and Gene shared a joyful, enduring love that spanned a marriage of 68 years. Gene was her best friend and partner for life. Their bond grew through the activities they enjoyed together. Among their favorite pastimes were roller skating, dancing, attending the music and sporting activities of their children and grandchildren, family vacations, and later traveling to 50 states and through Canada and Europe. These moments together brought laughter, connection, and cherished memories. Their joy and love was inspiring to all who knew them.

Avis had a remarkable gift for making the world around her more beautiful. She found joy in the beauty of flower gardening, landscaping, and creating beautiful oil paintings. Her creativity extended to sewing, crafting, and interior decorating. Her gifts brought color, beauty, and peace to her home, spaces she loved sharing with friends and family.

A woman of deep faith, Avis loved the Lord with all her heart and found strength through scripture and music. She was an active member of the Franklin United Methodist Church. Avis was also involved in several community groups. She was a member of the United Methodist Sunday Niter’s church group, Naponee Klatter Klub, neighborhood card club, extension clubs, PEO-Chapter P, and art groups. She also served her community as a board member of the Franklin County Memorial Hospital.

Avis’s life was defined by grace, creativity, and love, especially the deep love she had for her family. Her marriage to Gene was a lifelong source of strength and joy. Avis was the proud and devoted mother of Debra and Suzanne and she cherished the time spent with her daughters. Their bond was one of love, laughter, and unwavering support. Her heart grew with the arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom had a special place in her heart and brought her immense joy. She held an abiding love for her parents and grandparents, whose guidance, values, and stories shaped her into the woman she became. Avis found deep happiness in her family, delighting in their stories, adventures, and activities. She was a wonderful cook and gifted each of her family with

lasting memories of her treasured holiday dinners. Avis’s legacy will live on in her family and is one of faith, kindness, and the quiet way she made the world more beautiful through her smile, laughter, and her love.

Those left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life include: her husband, Gene; daughter Debra (Chuck) James; daughter Suzanne Hayes; grandchildren: Ian (Christine) James, Rachel (Brooks) Keiser, Carter Yelken and Juan Olivares, Reid Yelken, Landon Yelken and Taylor Emmack, and great-grandchildren: Alden, Everett, and Ira James, Oden and Millie Keiser; brother-in-law Bryan (Pam) Hayes; nephews Bryan Hayes, Jr. and Robb Hayes and family; niece Megan Piel and family; along with many special extended family members and friends. Avis was preceded in death by grandson Nathan James, her mother, Irene, and her father Orval, and father/mother-in-law Harold and Janice Hayes.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Hutchins Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..

A celebration of Avis’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin, Nebraska, with Pastor Scott Randall officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Nebraska.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska assisted the Hayes family with these arrangements.