Ronald W. Hayes, 57

Ronald William Hayes, 57, died on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. A memorial service celebrating his life was held Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. Per Ron’s request, friends and family were asked to dress in their favorite SDSU Jackrabbit, Minnesota Twins or Kansas City Chiefs apparel. 

Ronald William Hayes was born on Aug. 18, 1966 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., alongside his twin sister, Renee, to William H. and Nancy A. (Nolan) Hayes. Ron was raised and received his education in Sioux Falls, graduating from O’Gorman High School with the class of 1984. While in high school, as a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Ron proudly earned the rank of Eagles Scout. Following high school, Ron continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings where he had earned his Master’s Degree in Geography in 1992.     

Ron was united in marriage with Yvette Pierce on Oct. 10, 1992 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls, and were blessed with twin children, Sydney and Jackson.  

Ron served with the South Dakota Army National Guard for 20 years obtaining the rank of Captain before his retirement in 2008 and was proud of his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.  

Ron was employed by USGS EROS. He started as an imaging specialist and rose to several supervisory positions. Ron saw three generations of Landsat Satellites launch and even had the privilege to go to Vandenberg Air Force Base to watch the launch of Landsat 7. Most recently, Ron was a supervisor in Data Delivery and responsible for Disaster Response Data Sharing in his designated area. He was very well respected by all in his field. In addition to the above, Ron worked as a part-time professor at the University of Sioux Falls and SDSU teaching geography and in property management at Cactus Hills Country Homes. Ron was also longtime member of the Sioux Falls Jaycees.  

Ron was an avid SDSU Jackrabbit dootball, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Chiefs fan, and a regular at 212º The Boiling Point in Brandon. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was always up to a road trip with his friends or to visit his family. Above all, Ron loved his family. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend who will be deeply missed.   

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Yvette Hayes, Sioux Falls; twin children, Sydney and Jackson Hayes, both of Sioux Falls; seven sisters, Linda (Tom) Penisten, Sioux Falls, Mary (Dale) Leibfried, Dubuque, Iowa, (twin sister) Renee (Scott) Ramharter, Sioux Falls, Jeanne (Clay) Bowden, Port Orchard, Wash., Melissa (Hosea) Bennett, Sioux Falls, Dana (Jay) Wehde, Harrisburg, and Sara (Joe) Tebben, Sioux Falls; two brothers, Joe (Deb) Hayes, Sioux Falls, and W. Nolan (Lindsay) Hayes, Leslie, Mo.; mother-in-law, Linda (Bob) Schunneman, Sioux Falls; father-in-law, Dennis (Meredith) Pierce, Adel, Iowa; sister-in-la,: Jane (Jeff) Miles, West Des Moines, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, William and Nancy Hayes, grandparents, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.  

For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.