Fred W. Hayes

Fred W. Hayes, age 74, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Pastor Steve Biswell will be the officiate. 

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, prior to the service, on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Burial will be at the Webster Cemetery in Webster, SD, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Fred William Hayes was born in Webster, SD on August 17, 1949 to Oliver and Delores (Thompson) Hayes. During his childhood living in Webster, Fred could often be found down by the railroad tracks marveling at trains. Fred would maintain his love of trains for the rest of his life and loved talking about trains every chance he got. Fred and his family moved to Watertown, SD in 1957 and as an adult Fred worked as a custodian at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD for 32 years until his retirement. 

Fred loved to travel and took many bus trips around the country and Canada. When he retired, he moved back to Watertown and moved into the Hi Rise, not far from his parents’ house, where he visited regularly to help with work around the house. Fred enjoyed watching older television shows from his youth and loved making impressions, especially of Groucho Marx, Butch Cassidy, and the Godfather. 

He was very active at the Hi Rise and was always proud to show his family the monthly newsletters, which often had pictures of him participating in various activities such as bingo, shuffleboard, and pool. Fred loved playing Wii Bowling at the Senior Citizens Center and won many tournaments. He also thoroughly enjoyed beating his family in Wii Bowling during the holidays.

Most importantly, Fred was a loving and dedicated son, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved to play and joke. When his nephews and niece were kids, they loved making Fred laugh. When Fred found something hysterical, his laughter and snorts would fill the room making everyone laugh, especially the kids. This happened often!  

The Watertown community was very important to Fred.  He was a regular at many of the local restaurants and was always more than happy to talk trains, make jokes, and do his impressions for the patrons and staff.

Fred passed away at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on August 11, 2024, at the age of 74, surrounded by his family. Survivors include his nephews Alex Haan of Luverne, MN, Jason Haan of Sioux Falls, SD, and Damon (Jennie) Haan of Peoria, AZ; niece Meagan (Ryan) Goens of Baltic, SD; great nieces and nephews, a great-great nephew, uncles, an aunt, and cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Delores Hayes as well as his siblings Rev. Michael Hayes and Sandy Haan, and brother-in-law Al Haan.

A special thank you to Fred’s friends and family at the Hi Rise and the Watertown community.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

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