Lou Ann (Stubbs) Hayes
June 26, 1955 — November 27, 2023
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Service Details
Lou Ann Hayes (Stubbs) is survived by her husband, Kenneth Hayes; three children, Chad Kendall, Jenny Levay, and Justin (Jessica) Hayes; grandchildren, Erryl, Elkie, Mazzy, Ray, Violet, and Abigail; beloved mother of Ray and Mazzy, Stephanie; beloved mother of Abigail and Violet, Heather; beloved father of Erryl, Neal; and sister, Glynis Clendening. Preceded in death by her mother, Joan Stubbs; father, Robert Stubbs; and brother, J.C. Stubbs.
A mystical being living in a material world.
She grew up in a house off a rolling, tree canopy framed NW 35th Street in Topeka, Kansas. A nurse by training, Lou Ann was the kind of person who cared deeply for those in need, having a heart full of love--on full display for anyone who cared to see it. Her family continues to feel the nurturance and wisdom she so effortlessly shared throughout her life. A spiritual seeker, Lou Ann cared little for materialistic concerns and dreamed of one day owning a shared plot of land where her friends and family could live peacefully.
Spending several years living near the beach in Texas, Lou Ann loved the water. She taught her kids that walking in the sand was nature’s pedicure and would spend hours wading and swimming in the ocean. In her children and grandchildren, she inspired a sense of awe—an appreciation of the wondrous things in life. Lou Ann lives on, in all things great and small; in future generations’ curiosity, creativity, and compassion. She is out there now, basking in the majesty of the ocean, crashing against the shoreline, and riding the ebb and flow of the tide.
Lou Ann’s Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 904 Walnut St. (Hubbell Tower) in the second-floor party room on Saturday, December 9th from 4 - 7 pm.
“Hark now, hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic” – Van Morrison
Christine Moore
12/11/2023
My heart hurts for all of you that have lost such a precious soul. She was certainly one of a kind. The very best kind. I met Lou Ann around 1997, we both worked at the new Wal-Mart in Creston. She was always so much fun to work with. We worked in the little snack bar inside the store. We actually set a fire (unintentionally) to popcorn in the microwave. We both pretty much went about our usual routine, we had customers, and put the fire out and continued to work. Weve since then laughed at our calmness during the ordeal.
She loved to talk about her kids. I probably knew pretty much everything about each of them before I ever met them. She was very proud of all three of them and it was very obvious how much she loved them. If I remember correctly they had a couple big dogs at this time. Her love of animals was apparent. I am not sure of any more details but what comes to mind is her wrinkling up her mouth and baby talking to them as she was loving them.
We got along very well. Who wouldnt get along with her, she was fun to hang out with outside of work as well. We both had children around the same ages. My sons always loved going over to their house, occasional sleepovers. They had a Halloween party one year my sons enjoyed every minute. Lou Ann had a nickname for my youngest son, she always called him Pee Wee.
This lady knew how to be a friend. She always made me feel like I was her best friend. She had the greatest personality. She is going to be missed by all that had the opportunity to know her. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know her. Thank you for some great memories, RIP my dear sweet friend.
Mark & Debi Meinholdt
12/06/2023
We remember Lou Ann from school and class reunions. She was always a pleasant person to talk with... such a free spirited, unique person. Lou Ann will be greatly missed by all.
Diane Lindeman
12/04/2023
To Kenny, Chad, Jenny, Justin and family, I am so saddened by the news of Lou Ann's passing. I have known her since childhood and we were the best of friends growing up. I shared an earlier story via Facebook Messenger with Justin about when LouAnn decided to teach me how to drive a motorcycle so you've heard that story but I have a few others that came to mind over the last few days. Lou Ann, DeAun Phelps (our third musketeer) and myself spent a lot of time together. What one didn't think of the other did. The three of us skipped school a couple of times when we were sophomores in high school. The first time we drove to Kansas City for the day. I can't for the life of me think of what we would have done there as we were only fifteen years old. Yes, fifteen! DeAun drove and she just had one of those learner's permits that only allows you to drive to and from school. We took a most circuitous route to school that day. So circuitous that we never made it! The next time we skipped school was just a few weeks after that. After all, we had gotten away with it, right? We went to Lawrence for the day. Again, DeAun drove with that learner's permit. I have no idea what we did there. Probably between the three of us we had probably $5 and change. I think we probably did it just so we could say that we did and because we could! I also remember many sleepovers at LouAnn's house where we would get that ouija board out. One time we asked the board who I would marry one day. It so adeptly spelled out the name Greg ( I won't mention the last name in case there really is someone out there with that name). The last name was kind of unusual. We got out that phone book (yes, you know those books that you used to have to look up telephone numbers in) and there were about three names with that surname in the book. We of course called them to ask if "Greg" was there. We didn't have any luck finding him, and I never found him, but I'm sure it wasn't for the ouija board's lack of accurate information. There were many a nights spent hovering over that ouija board. We also spent many nights cruising Topeka Boulevard and out to White Lakes Mall when we actually had "real" driver's licenses. That was entertainment pre-social media. There is no special friendship like a longtime friendship. I will always hold Lou Ann close in my heart and cherish the many sweet memories of our times together. I extend my sincerest condolences. May your loving memories of Lou Ann bring you peace, comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Michael
12/01/2023
I did not know Lou Ann but in response to Jenny's request to leave a message, please accept my salute to the author(s) of a most interesting and beautifully written obituary and tribute to a wife, mother and friend. My condolences as you celebrate her adventurous life.
Jenny
11/30/2023
Mom always loved stories. Please don't be afraid to share your own wild, funny, wonderful stories and memories of Mom. We all love hearing them and it honors her memory more than anything.
Love,
Jenny