Steven Harlan Hayes

Steven Harlan Hayes of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away after a long illness on June 8th, 2021, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, at the age of 71. He was born to Harlan and Marilyn Hayes on March 24th, 1950, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was also baptized. Steven grew up on the family farm in Garner, Iowa, the oldest of eight children. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Ventura. He graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1968 after having been active in many sports, including being captain of the football team, being inducted into the National Honor Society, having major roles in plays and musicals, and having the honor of being crowned Homecoming King. He went on to Iowa State University, graduating in 1972, majoring in Mathematics and Economics. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After graduation, Steven went to work for Airco Industrial Gases in Omaha, Nebraska and Peoria, Illinois, from 1972 to 1978. During that time, he married his devoted wife of 45 years, Norene (Leistad) in 1976, in Elk Horn, Iowa. Together, they welcomed their loving daughter, Molly, in 1978, of whom he was so very proud. Steven was a partner in Kerns Hayes Implement in Britt, Iowa from 1978-1981. In 1981, the family moved to Des Moines, after Steven joined Piper Jaffray and Hopwood as an investment broker. He went on to become Vice President and Branch Manager of Principal Financial Securities and, later, Raymond James Financial. In 2007, he purchased Allan Industrial Coatings, a manufacturing company specializing in powder coating and painting, in Allison, Iowa. They expanded operations in Allison, as well as in Greene, Iowa. Due to health reasons, Steven retired in 2015.

Steven treasured his many hunting trips and Canadian fishing adventures with family and friends. He always enjoyed putting on a delicious fish fry for everyone with their catches. The family also spent many wonderful vacations together, with favorites being in Colorado, Florida, and Minnesota. He cherished his years as both a basketball coach for his daughter’s youth teams, as well as an enthusiastic soccer parent driving to many tournaments with a car full of Molly’s teammates listening to the Eurythmics at full blast for inspiration. Steven enjoyed his time serving on the Wartburg President’s Council from 2002-2008. Steven was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, serving as Church Council President, as well as Chairperson of many committees. He was also a member of the choir, having a solo in their production of Handel’s Messiah. He had a very strong faith in the Lord, which sustained him through many difficult days.

Steven is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Susan, and his nephews, Michael and Joshua. He is survived by his wife, Norene, his daughter, Molly (Daniel), her husband Mark, and their daughter, Lauren, all of West Des Moines. Memorials may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa 50325.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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