Garry G. Hayes

Garry Gene Hayes, age 74, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025 surrounded by the family he loved so much.

Garry was born September 11, 1950, to Elmer & Shirley Hayes in La Crosse, WI and joined his older brother Larry at home.

He attended The School District of La Crosse, State Road, Lincoln, and graduated from Logan High School in 1968. Garry then attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse in 1972 and was proud to be the first in his family to graduate from college, a tradition his sons and grandchildren continued.

During his time at UWL he met and married his wife Cheryl Hanifl, who was the love of his life during the next 54 years of marriage. Garry could not have found a better life partner.

His working career consisted of a short stint at Stop-N-Go in Janesville as a store manager before returning to La Crosse and starting his long career at Kwik Trip who at the time had 9 stores. Over the next several years progressing through the company and becoming Director of Retail Operations before he left in 2000 when the company had grown to 342 stores.

He then joined Nesnah Ventures as President and Managing Partner continuing the long relationship with John Hansen and his family.

In retirement Garry & Cheryl spent winters at their home in Cape Coral, Florida. Garry was fortunate to find a great group of guys to golf with in both Wisconsin and Florida. He always looked forward to golf with the guys. He also enjoyed hiking in our country’s national parks. While he had more hikes planned, he was able to hike in 19 parks and a few of them multiple times.

“My greatest passion was spending time with my family. I couldn’t have been prouder of my two sons Craig & Ryan. They were always there for each other. The boys and their families make it a priority to spend birthdays and holidays together with Cheryl and I.”

Garry was proceeded in death by his parents (Elmer & Shirley), nephew (Todd), Mother-in-law (Marie Hanifl), and brother-in-law Matt Giacalone.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl, sons Craig (Lisa) Hayes and Ryan (Tara) Hayes and grandchildren Alexis, Lauren, Callan, Jacob, and Baron, great-grandson Oliver, and his brother Larry (Janette) Hayes as well as bothers & sisters-in-law Karla Giacalone, Garry (Carol) Gilbert, Jerry (Marianne) Lafler, Jim (Maureen) Hanifl, and Joe (Virginia) Hanifl.

A special thank you to the Mayo Hospice staff and Pastor Scott Skogen at North Presbyterian Church. Your kindness and empathy will be remembered always.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to North Presbyterian Church, Onalaska Food Basket, or the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 18, 2025, at North Presbyterian Church in La Crosse, WI. Pastor Scott Skogen will be the officiate. Visitation will be held at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave, La Crosse from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and 10:00 until the burial service on Friday, July 18 at North Presbyterian Church.