Lila Hayes

Lila Ann Hayes (nee Wittenberger) Passed away in her sleep on December 3, 2020 after a steady decline from dementia. Most recently, Lila resided at Dickson Hollow Presbyterian Home in Menomonee Falls, WI. She was a long-time resident of Germantown, WI, and for more than 50 years, Brown Deer, WI. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and high school sweetheart, Kenneth Ralph Hayes, her mother, Clara Wittenberger, father, Calvin Wittenberger and her cherished big brother, Gene Bruno Wittenberger and dear sister-in-law, Marjorie Wittenberger. She is survived by her children Steve (Karen) Hayes of Aurora, CO; Tami (the late Greg) O'Brien of Menomonee Falls, WI; Lori (the late Ed) Kannenberg of Colgate, WI; and Kristin (Dave) Marsden of Libertyville, IL. She is also survived by her treasured grandchildren Mitch (Kassie) Kannenberg; Sean O'Brien; Alex & Austin Hayes; Sydney & Ella Marsden. Finally, her Wittenberger & Hayes nieces and nephews who always held a very special place in her heart, extended family and so very many, many friends. Lila was born on March 10, 1931 in Hartford, WI. She graduated from Carroll College (now Carroll University) in Waukesha, WI with a degree in Elementary Education, and, as she always liked to tell people, a minor in Dramatics! She went on to teach school, marry the love of her life and raise the family that would be the legacy of their life-long love affair. Dramatic was most certainly an adjective lovingly used to describe Lila by most who encountered her. The stories of her antics would fill volumes! She learned to ski when she was over 40 so that the family would have winter vacation activities and continued that activity well into her 70's, making wide "S" loops down the hill. In the summer, it was long road trips with the pop-up camper and everyone piled into the station wagon. Wednesday (and any other day she could swing it) was always Ladies Day on the golf course. Together Ralph & Lila loved to dance and were a delight to watch on the dance floor. She was deeply entrenched in her community at large and was a charter member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon, WI which continued to sustain her even into her last years. She loved children and being a mom was her life blood. She never stopped being a teacher. As her children grew, she became a regular substitute in the Brown Deer school system. She was widowed much too early at 58, so had to re-invent herself in the last chapter of her life. And re-invent herself she did! She went back to school to get some updated education and then worked as an aide for Special Needs children at Bayside School until her retirement. Never one to miss out on the fun, she celebrated her 80th birthday with a family white water rafting trip in Colorado. Her teachers' heart translated into being the best grandma any kid could ask for. She was always sitting on the floor playing a game or tossing the baseball. And nothing brought her more joy than passing on her love of golf to her children and grandchildren. A private burial will take place for immediate family. A proper celebration of life will be held in the spring when the vaccine will hopefully allow a gathering fitting of Lila's zest for life. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials in Lila's name to Crossroads Presbyterian Church 6031 West Chapel Hill Road, Mequon, WI 53097.