1966-2025

Shelley Renae Hayes, 58, daughter of Darrell and Ida Gayle (Freeman) Kromrie, was born June 22, 1966, at the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center. She gained her eternal freedom from pain on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines.

Shelley grew up in Guthrie Center and graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1985. She worked many jobs in the community: a CNA at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center, in-home day care, and, finally, as a teacher associate at the Guthrie Center High School.

Although Shelley had many jobs and accomplishments over the years, her proudest was her family. Shelley was the oldest of Gayle’s four children. As soon as her little siblings, Terry, Mary and Mike, started making their debuts, Shelley became their biggest protectors. This was a lifelong badge Shelley wore with honor. Shelley has always spoken loudly and proudly of her family.

In 1986, Shelley was especially proud to welcome her twin girls, Ashlee and Alison — “the Chickee Birds.” These girls were the light of her life. The bond shared between them was a testament of the amount of love they had for each other. In 1994, she married Wayne Hayes, and they made their home in Guthrie Center. With this union, she gained Eric and Valarie.

Once her grandbabies started being added to the family, another light was lit in her heart. Her girls were so thankful to have such a present mom with their children. Shelley continued the tradition of attending as many of her grandkid’s activities as possible, just like she did for her girls, always beaming with pride. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, whether that was coming up with recipes and baking or sending out a daily Snapchat summarizing the day with goofy shoutouts. Her grandbabies always knew they had a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a big squeeze when they needed a hug.

Shelley shared a special bond with her younger siblings. She spent the last few years living as Buck’s (Terry’s) neighbor. Buck regularly popped through the door with a “whattaya doing” or “what’s for dinner?” Even though he sometimes was met with a sassy comment from Shelley, she loved having him there. Shelley was first to proudly let people know that was her brother, Terry. She was so grateful for his presence in her life and the heart he has.

She was very close to her sister, Mary. She regularly told people her sister was actually older because the gray hair came quickly for her. I’m sure this had to do with Mary’s three children: Breanne, Peyton and Haeleigh. The three had a second home and a second mom with Shelley. She and Breanne were partners in crime. They were always getting into some type of shenanigans together. When Haeleigh and Peyton came along, they became her “babies.” Well into their twenties, she still referred to them as her babies. Shelley’s great nephew and niece, Axl and Frankie, also played a special role in Shelley’s life. They loved her and always looked forward to going to Aunt Shelley’s.

Shelley’s youngest brother, Mike, also was very special to her. She regularly talked about how he was her “little Mikey,” even though he has grayed and is a grandpa himself. Regardless of anything, he was always her “baby brother,” and all those around knew about it. Shelley held a special place with all her siblings and was so proud to have them. Her favorite part of having her siblings was knowing it was them against the world. She took on a role as a mama bear to them. In a close second, being an aunt to their kids was another proud title she carried. Shelley had an undying love for all of her nieces and nephews.

Shelley accepted anyone and everyone into her circle. She didn’t know a stranger. She had the title of “Mom,” “Aunt Shelley” and “Grandma Shelley” to many people even outside her family. This included her children’s friends, her nieces and nephews’ friends, her babysitting kids over the years, and, more recently, her grandchildren’s friends.

Shelley was known for her cooking and baking. If you were close with Shelley at all, she fed you at one point or another. Whether that was her famous mints, beautifully put-together Christmas candy platters, or the type of home cooking that made you have to wear sweatpants afterwards. She loved cooking for her grandchildren and making sure their friends and teammates were fed, too.

Shelley’s existence was a privilege to this world. Regardless of any hardship she endured, her heart was pure. She was never hardened by anything she went through. She was kind, compassionate and full of love to give. She loved to joke with everyone and was known for giving people a run for their money. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Alison (Derek) Herron of Guthrie Center; Ashlee (Jeremy) Wolfe of Guthrie Center; Eric Hayes of Minot, North Dakota; and Valarie Levy of Jefferson; 17 grandchildren, Brooke, Katelyn, Lane, Logan, Braelyn, Lillee, and Luke (Alison); Calleigh, Cordell, Cambree, and Cayla (Ashlee); Brayden, Riley, and Aria (Eric); Eva Mae, Kailynn, and Rosabelle (Valarie); siblings, Terry Kromrie of Guthrie Center; Mary (Troy) Busse of Guthrie Center; and Mike Kromrie of Winterset; Becky (Andy) Boss of Stuart; Dan (Ginger) Kromrie of Dexter; and Jean (Devlun) Whiteing of Ida Grove. Also her very dear friend, Tracy (John) Beer of Panora. Shelley has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends who she leaves behind.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Wayne.

A Celebration of Life will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Guthrie Center Activity Center, 209 State St., Guthrie Center.

Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, is entrusted with her services.