Thelma Rose Hays

April 6, 1930 - April 11, 2022

Thelma Rose (Pahler) Hays, 92, was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She left this world April 11, 2022, with her loving family by her side.

Thelma was born April 6, 1930, in the same house and same bedroom where her mother was born in Crested Butte, CO. Thelma was the oldest of four children to Fredrich C. Pahler and Rosa F. (Merritt) Pahler. She spent her childhood on her parents peach farm in Cameo, CO with her sisters, MaryAnn, Frieda and younger brother, Fred.

The sisters were very close companions. They hiked the De Beque Canyon, swam in the canal, worked on the farm, canned produce, rode bicycles to Palisade, fished, and ice skated on the Colorado River. She often told stories of how great life was growing up with her family.

As a young child Thelma walked 1 1/2 miles west to Cameo's one room schoolhouse, where she attended elementary school. After 9th grade, Thelma went on to graduate from Palisade High School, class of 1947. In the early 1950s, Thelma attended Parks Business School in Denver. She worked for a local family washing dishes, cooking for room and board, and as a waitress.

Thelma went to a dance in downtown Denver with her roommates. Thelma picked out a handsome man and stood by him until he asked her to dance. She met the love of her life, Herbert H. Hays, that very night. They were married January 24, 1953. They truly loved each other deeply and enjoyed 68 wonderful years together. Herb and Thelma had four children; Sandy, their daughter and sons, Will, Jack, and Kip. Thelma was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive mother. Her knowledge and guidance was the foundation of her family.

Her devotion to her husband and children, her steadfast determination, selflessness, sense of humor and amazing role model to all were the characteristics that made her so incredibly special.

Everyone who knew Thelma marveled at her strength of soul and unwavering work ethic. Even as a young child Thelma completed her chores to support the family farm, milking the cows, building peach boxes, thinning the peach trees, harvesting the farm, harnessing the horses, and peddling the peaches across the Western Slope.

After Herb and Thelma married, they moved to Castle Air Force Base in California. It was difficult for women to find jobs there, so Thelma worked peeling tomatoes for a large canning factory. When Thelma's father passed away, she and her husband returned to Colorado to help her mother with the family farm.

They bought the property up the canyon from Thelma's aunt and continued to farm the land today. In 1958, Thelma began working as a waitress at the Cafe Caravan. She would go on to manage and then become 25% partner of the cafe. Thelma and Herb bought the Mount Garfield Fruit Stand on Highway 6, a few miles east of Clifton in 1966. Thelma's mother, Rosa, ran the fruit stand for a number of years. The Hays family continued the farming tradition growing several kinds of vegetables and fruits that they sold at their fruit stand. In 1987, Thelma and her sisters opened a store called The Three Sisters. Thelma did all of the accounting and her sister handled the buying and daily management of the store. She worked in the fruit stand during the summer and in the store in the winter.

Thelma was actively involved in the community, political and agricultural organizations her entire life. She was a member and served on several boards; Mesa County Farm Bureau, Club 20 Agricultural member, Women's Republican Columbine Club, Mesa Soil Conservation District, Wild Scenic River Stake Holders Group, Farm to Market group, and Agricultural Advisory Panel. In 1988 Thelma ran for the office of County Commissioner. Thelma always found time for her family and a few fun hobbies; Blackjack, bowling, and golfing,

Thelma is survived by her sons, William (Jessica) Hays, Jack Hays, and Kip Hays; grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Tanner, Cheyanne, Kendra, Koby; great grandchildren, Keagan, Brayson, Sawyer, Walker and Harper; and many nephews and nieces. All of these she loved and touched deeply. She will be greatly missed by the countless lives she touched over the years.

She will join her family in heaven, Herbert H. Hays, husband; Frederich C. Pahler, father; Rosa F. Meritt Pahler, mother; Sandra Hays Sells, daughter; sisters, MaryAnn Varnes and Frieda Giannone; and Fred Pahler, brother.

Please join us in celebrating her life, May 11, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., Orchard River View, 3926 HWY 6 & 24, Palisade, CO 81526. The family would like you to join them for dinner following the memorial service. We will be gathering to share favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and to remember a wonderful woman who will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers any donations are to be made to Sandra Hays Sells Memorial Endowed SS at Colorado Mesa University Foundation, 1450 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Donations can also be made to Hope West, 3090B N. 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506

Published by The Daily Sentinel from Apr. 30 to May 1, 2022.