E. DeWayne Hayes was born in Wasta, South Dakota on February 8, 1930 to Emmet and Tilla (Lassegard) Hayes, the youngest of four children. He was raised on a ranch at Boneita Springs, in central Meade County, where he attended a one-room school through the 8th grade. He attended Sturgis High School and graduated with the class of 1948.
After graduation DeWayne worked at Fort Meade for a year, attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion for a year and then joined the US Air Force in October of 1950. Basic training took him to Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX and then on to at McChord AFB, WA and to an Aircraft Control and Warning Station in Condon, OR, eventually arriving at Rapid City AFB (which later became Ellsworth AFB). It was while stationed in Rapid City that he met Ermille (Campbell) Svendby. They were married in February of 1953 and raised a family consisting of Ermille’s daughter, Pamela, and their son Russell.
In March of 1953 DeWayne arrived in Kimpo AFB, Korea. Even though a truce was signed on July 27, 1953, DeWayne remained in Korea until January of 1954, when he returned stateside, and was stationed at Great Falls (Malstrom) AFB. He was honorably discharged in August of ’54.
Upon discharge, DeWayne continued his education at Black Hills State College, graduating in 1957 with a degree in business/education. This took him to teaching positions at Newell High School, Rainier Oregon High School, and National College in Rapid City. In 1969 he changed direction and went to work at Black Hills Workshop School and in 1973 he became the CEO of CWDC Industries in Virginia, MN – a rehabilitation facility with programs in Virginia, Hibbing, and Grand Rapids, Minnesota. In 1990 he retired and returned to his roots in South Dakota.
Ermille passed away in January of 1994, and in April 1995 he married Diana Murray. Together they embarked on a new career: running the Old Stone House Bed and Breakfast until 2016.
DeWayne has been active in many local organizations; serving on boards and volunteering hundreds of hours on various projects. He is a life member of the VFW, American Legion, and Korean War Veterans Association. In 2007 he was awarded an “Ambassador of Peace” medal by the South Korean government, as part of their “Korean Revisit Program”, in appreciation for the service and sacrifice our veterans made for their country.
Dewayne is preceded in death by his first wife, Ermille; his parents; brothers, Lester and Gordon; sister, Lucille Bennett; step-daughter, Pamela Julius, ands son, Russell.
He is survived by his wife, Diana; Step-children, Jerry and Jim Bertolotto and their families and Jeff; grandchildren, Chad, Nick, Josh, Joe, and Maggie; and 14 great grandchildren.
E. DeWayne Hayes, 94, Sturgis, SD, passed away at his home on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 21, 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis, SD. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorials have been established to Grace Lutheran Church and the Kiwanis Food Pantry.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
