Barbara Ann Hayes

Barbara “Barb” Ann (nee Freund) Hayes of Greenville, WI passed peacefully at home in the arms of her husband and daughters on September 3rd, 2023, at the age of 69.

Barbara was born in 1953, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, WI to Gerald and Harrietta (nee Bernard) Freund. She grew up in Fond du Lac where she enjoyed spending summers at the pool and winters ice skating with her friends and siblings. Barb moved to Portage after high school where she met and married Donald “Don” James Hayes in 1979. Barb and Don settled in Greenville where they raised three daughters. Barb went on to earn a certified nursing assistant license, embarking on a career of service in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Barb cared passionately about providing loving care to everyone she helped and was a favorite of many residents.

Barb’s family was the center of her life. Nothing brought her more joy than traveling to visit her daughters, camping with Don, and spoiling her grandchildren. Barb loved spending time at her home playing with her puppy Bailey and watching birds visit her extensive flower gardens. She had a knack for making everyday tasks special by approaching them with a joyful spirit and she spread that joy to every person she touched. Barb will be remembered for her love of family, generous spirit, and boundless energy.

Barb is survived by her husband Don; her children Nicole Hayes (Nick Andrews), Christine Hayes (Adam DeBroux), and Melissa Hayes (Michael Krueger); grandchildren Olivia and Margaret Krueger-Hayes; siblings Roger (Jackie) Freund, Jim Freund, Cathy Freund; sister-in-law Patty Freund; and nieces, nephews, and other relatives and families.

Barb was preceded in death by parents Gerald and Harrietta Freund, brother John Freund, and niece Sarah Danor.

Special thanks to her care teams at UW Health Carbone Center Drs. Steven Howard, Mustafa Baskaya, and Ankush Bhatia; ThedaCare Cancer Center; ThedaCare Hospice RN’s Matt and Brittany; CNA’s Melissa, Holly and Roberta, caregivers from Home Instead, and Jackie Freund, Barbara’s sister-in-law.

Her life will be celebrated privately.

Any donations that friends or family wish to make on her behalf can be made to UW Madison, specifically the Brain Cancer Research Greatest Need Fund to advance research on glioblastoma or the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, an elder care advocacy group.

Brain Cancer Research: https://secure.supportuw.org/give/

Elder Advocacy: https://theconsumervoice.org/