Myrtle Hay, aged 99, previously from Revillo, SD, passed away on February 13, 2022.
A graveside service will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10:30 a. m. at the Revillo City Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Marietta Legion. All family and friends are welcome to attend.
Myrtle Eleanor (Goodmurphy) Hay was born on January 14, 1923, on Cockburn Island in Ontario, Canada, near Sault Ste. Marie. She enjoyed sharing stories about her childhood with her twelve siblings there. She moved to the Milbank and Revillo areas of South Dakota after marrying James Hugh Hay, who like many young men at the time went off to fight in World War II. Myrtle met Jim when he and his friends visited the Canadian café where she worked while stationed in Sault Ste Marie, MI. Jim bet his fellow soldiers that he could score a date with the prettiest waitress there-he won both the bet and her heart! They fell in love and got married just a few months later. During those war years when supplies were limited, Myrtle didn’t have a proper cake topper for their wedding cake; one guest gave up his handmade “V for Victory” lapel pin that many men wore as their special touch instead.
When Jim was deployed to Europe, Myrtle stayed with his parents, Walt and Emma Hay near Nassau, MN. After the war ended, Jim returned to South Dakota and began farming south of Revillo. While working their farm together they welcomed four children: Ron, Antoinette, Woody, and Tom. In 1953 they relocated to Deerwood, MN where they built a summer resort which they ran until 1968; during this time they also added two more kids to their family: Colleen and Jim. Myrtle loved life at the resort and made countless friendships with guests who became lifelong companions. In 1969 Jim and Myrtle moved back to the family farm where she once again embraced life as a farmer’s wife. Although she cherished returning to Revillo area life with Jim making sure they visited her family back in Canada too.
In 1975 Jim and Myrtle officially retired spending summers fishing and traveling while winters were reserved for golfing in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Throughout these changes in their lives Myrtle would often say “I had the same job all my life, and can’t retire. My job is taking care of Jim Hay.” They shared forty-six wonderful years together until his unexpected passing. Several years later she married Jim Vincent who was not only her second husband but also Jim Hay’s best friend since childhood. The two enjoyed growing old together through fishing, golfing, and traveling until Jim Vincent’s death in 2017.
Though she held deep love for America, Myrtle always remained proudly Canadian. Alongside every encounter with another Canadian she’d first ask if they were family; if not, she’d inquire about mutual acquaintances-everyone seems connected up north! Her wish was for half of her ashes to be taken home to Canada; therefore, a service will be held there during early August along with another memorial service happening June11th back in Revillo SD.
She is survived by her children: Ronald (Iris) Hay of Revillo SD; Antoinette (Jim) Henningson from St. Joseph MN; Colleen(Brian)Linscomb hailing from Montpelier ID; James(Jeff)Hay living Kimball MN, daughter-in-law Jean Warren residing Lake Jackson TX, fifteen grandchildren thirty-three great-grandchildren plus two great-great-grandchildren!
Preceding her are late husband(s): Jim Hay &Jim Vincent sons: Thomas&Walter“Woody”; granddaughter Heather both parents & six siblings
Myrtle led an incredible life. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude towards Grace Haven staff along with those providing hospice care throughout her final days.
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