Sherri Lynn Hays

Sherri Lynn Hays of Clive, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas night, December 25, 2022 from a sudden infection.

She was born to parents Don and Jan Saveraid on September 24, 1956, in Huxley, Iowa. She is the eldest of four siblings, all of whom survive her.

Sherri attended the University of Iowa, where she earned a degree in dental hygiene in 1978. It was there that she met the love of her life, Raymond Hays, who served as a houseboy in her sorority. In their senior year, they knew they were perfect for each other, got engaged, and were married September 30, 1978.

Ray and Sherri moved to Des Moines in their early years of married life, eventually settling in Clive where they raised their family. It was there that Sherri blossomed into the most loving and dedicated mother to three sons. She worked as a dental hygienist in West Des Moines for over 40 years, which allowed her to befriend countless people and keep a pulse on all the teenage goings on in her boys’ community. Her pride and joy was loving her family and watching her grandchildren grow. She became affectionately known as “Gam” and cherished by her five grandchildren.

Sherri’s warm smile and sparkling personality made her the life of any party and a treasured friend to all she came to know. She was an integral part of so many people’s lives, which was her happy place...making other people’s lives brighter. Sherri enjoyed countless gatherings with extended family and friends and nothing filled her heart more than planning and hosting love filled occasions to bring people together. She was just entering her “go” years, as she affectionately termed this new phase of life, which allowed abundant travel to places like Europe, Colorado, Utah, California, New York City, Wisconsin and Florida, and made her available to care for her precious grand babies at the drop of a hat. Her exceptional creativity and love of beautifying absolutely everything she touched became her trademark. She was involved at Faith Lutheran Church for many years on both the sanctuary beautification committee and teaching Sunday school.

Sherri is survived by her husband Ray Hays of Clive; her children, Brandon (Genevieve), Tyler (Kerri) and Mitchell (Taylor), all of Des Moines; her mother Jan Saveraid and brother Steve Saveraid of Johnston, brother Scott (Anne) of Davenport and sister Suzanne Crowe (Kyle) of Minneapolis, MN; her adored grandchildren Teddy, Caroline, Forest, Rosie Mae and Lotte; as well as eleven nieces and nephews which she treated like her own. She was preceded in death by her father Don Saveraid.

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 1, 2023 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, and the funeral service on Monday, January 2 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior at Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Avenue in Clive. Service will be livestreamed Sherri Hays Memorial Service

Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery on Tuesday, January 3 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family for a planned memorial fund.

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