Mrs. Donna Lee Hays, 73 of Buckeye, AZ died peacefully at home comforted by family on April 5, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. She was born on May 3, 1949 in Shell Lake, Wisconsin to Luverne Holcomb and Mildred Holcomb. Donna enjoyed a long career as a nurse and a nurse practitioner where she inspired and touched the lives of many patients and colleagues. Donna and her beloved husband Steve retired to Arizona in 2014 where they enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine after decades of Wisconsin winters. She enjoyed swimming and coaching the swimming club, golfing, sewing and quilting, and playing euchre and mahjong with friends and neighbors. Donna had the gift of hospitality and always enjoyed hosting family and friends with wonderful home cooked meals.
Donna’s faith was with her always as she tackled her long cancer battle with grace and determination. She was and will continue to be an inspiration to us all as she celebrates her first Easter in heaven.
Donna was a wonderful wife, mother, and Nana. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Steven R. Hays, and her children, daughter Heidi (Jerry) Marchetti, and sons Todd Wuetrich, Scott Hays, and Jason (Jen) Hays. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Nick Marchetti, Anna Marchetti, Ariana Wuetrich, Xander Wuetrich, Lillian Hays and Cooper Hays. Donna was blessed with a large family and is also survived by her sisters, Carolynn Berg, Mary Scott, and Kandace Tochterman, and her brothers Dean Holcomb, Larry Holcomb, Jeff Holcomb, and Randy Holcomb. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luverne Holcomb and Mildred Holcomb Bartelt and her mother-in-law Lillian (Hays) Krueger and father-in-law Bud Krueger. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 13th from 2-5 p.m. at The Saguaro Center, 26275 W Morrow Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396. A memorial service and celebration of life will also be held in Wisconsin at a later date. The family suggests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Donna. Condolences can be emailed to Steve Hays at stevenhays53@yahoo.com.
