"I am a retired Rock Island special education teacher who was across the hall from Kris at RICMS. I am so sorry to hear she passed. What I remember most about Kris is how she cared for every child and met their individual needs. She worked diligently with the students and parents and was loved and respected by everyone. She was a dedicated teacher and kind hearted person. My deepest sympathy to her family. "
In loving memory of
Kristal Allene "Kris" Hays
June 13, 1961 - November 14, 2022
Kristal A. "Kris" Hays, 61, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 14, 2022, surrounded by her loving family after a two-year valiant fight with cancer.
Kristal Allene Kruse was born on June 13, 1961 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Charles, Jr. and Judith A. (Ripple) Kruse. She attended Maquoketa schools and graduated from MCHS, where she was an outstanding basketball player. While growing up, she and her siblings rode horses and often showed them at the Jackson County Fair. She also was active in 4-H and represented Jackson County at the Iowa State Fair 4-H Fashion Review.
In 1981, Kris married Rodney Till. Two children were born to this union, Ryanne Ruth, and Austin Mycheal. The couple later divorced, and on September 27, 1991 she married John Hays in Maquoketa, Iowa. They celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary this year. They were best friends and watched sports together, took side-by-side excursions, and attended grandkids school activities. Kris was especially proud of their grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Additionally, she enjoyed flowers and gardening, and time spent with loved ones sitting around the campfire at the family pond.
Kris first worked at Skeffington's Jack and Jill in Maquoketa as a checker, and then was employed by Napa Supply Store in DeWitt. In 1996, she received her teaching certificate from Marycrest College in Davenport, and she immediately began working for Frances Willard School in Rock Island as a 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher, and later for the Rock Island School District #41 as a 4th Grade Teacher. A position she held until present as she was recently recognized as the Rock Island-Milan School District Educator of the Year for 2022.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, John Hays of DeWitt, IA; children, Ryanne (Mike) Trusty of DeWitt, IA, Austin (Megan) Till of DeWitt, IA, and Ryan (Danielle) Hays of Monticello, IA; her seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Niya, Kolt, Knox, Gretchen, Memphis, Jacoby, and Samuel; her mother, Judy Tonderum of Maquoketa, IA; siblings, Kelly (Peter) Nelles of Mt. Horeb, WI, Korey Harmon of Maquoketa, IA, and Kraig (Judy) Kruse of Maquoketa, IA; aunt, Margene Beach; uncle, Gerald Owen; plus cousins and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Chuck Kruse, aunt Connie Owen, stepfather Harlan Tonderum, and father-in-law Roger Hays.
A private family memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. There is no public service or visitation. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the family with proceeds going to a place near to Kris' heart, the Rock Island Center for Math and Science.
Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Mrs. Hays was my 4th grade teacher she was the most caring teacher and always found fun ways to teach us she will be missed by many of her students. My condolences ? to her Family "
"I work in the RICMS library and would like to share two stories that show how much her students care about her. The day after she died, one boy said, "I cried all morning. Whenever I had a problem, she was the one I went to." That Thursday we played Book Bingo during our Family Reading Night. One of her students from last year chose a book Kris had read to her class. She hugged the book and said, "I am keeping it as a memory of her." Recently I found out she left birthday cards for all her students in her classroom. That thoughtful gesture didn't surprise me, because she put a card and treat in with each student's belongings when we bagged everything for pickup in May 2020. Her death is a great loss to RICMS and her beloved family. Fortunately, she will live on in our memories and in the lives of those she touched."
"Thoughts and prayers to Kris' family. Remember all the MCHS basketball and other events as well as 4-H. Sorry for your loss. "
"I?m so sorry, my Sincere Sympathy to Kris?s Family ?"
"Kris was an outstanding teacher who demonstrated kindness and caring with her students. I was fortunate to be a part of the RICMS 3/4 team collaborating with Kris until I retired in 2015. Kris will be truly missed by the RICMS family. Sincere condolences to the family. Barb Moskowitz"
"condolences to all of the hays and kruse familys you are in our prayers"
"I was fortunate to work with Kris at Frances Willard and RICMS. She was great teacher and person, I loved our talks. Her former students and myself always talk about what a great person she was and how she taught them cursive. "
"I met Kris when I started working at Frances Willard Elementary. I was the music teacher, she taught fourth grade, we both grew up in Maquoketa, Iowa. How crazy two girls from a small town end up in the West End of Rock Island? Kris was a dedicated teacher, the students adored her and it was a pleasure having her as a peer. We both left that school and went on in Rock Island but I have many fond memories of our times together. May her memory be a blessing. Mara (Rosenberg) Goodvin"
"A tribute to my Sister? If I had to describe my sister, Kris, in one word, I would use the word ?dedicated ?. She was dedicated to her husband, children, & grandchildren. She loved being ?Granny?. She was a dedicated educator, also. I am unable to comprehend how many lives she touched during her teaching career. It was a privilege & honor to be part of her care-team. Life will never be the same, but there?s comfort knowing we have an Angel watching over us. Love You Forever Krissy! "
"Judy and all of Kris's family, sending thoughts and prayers to all at this very difficult time. "
"I worked with Kris at Frances Willard school for several years. I taught kindergarten and we would buddy read with her class. She gave me recipes for deer meat. She was always smiling and her students loved her Mindy Radosevich "
"Kris was such a wonderful human! The first time I met her was through work at Napa Distribution Center in DeWitt. We became fast friends and shared each other?s lives and stories. We laughed and cried together; sharing what it was like for both of us to be single mom?s, raising our children. I was so happy for her career choices as well as her personal ones. Our lives went in different directions but never our love and respect for one another. Kris was one of a kind and I will always remember that point and time in our lives when we connected. Rest In Peace beautiful soul. Joy Marik"
"I had the pleasure of working with Kris at RICMS where I was a principal. She was an excellent teacher and human being.I could always count in Kris to do the right thing in educating children. My condolences to your family. May the memories of this beautiful person always be in your heart. God bless your family. Best, Dr. RuthAnn Tobey-Brown"
"Judy and family, Lifting everyone up in prayers during this difficult time. With heartfelt sympathy. "
"Being an older cousin to Kris, I knew her as a child and as she grew up. What great spirit she had. She has always been full of life which spread to all around her. She will leave a huge void in her family - including her extended family. Blessings to all."
"Kraig and family, I?m so very sorry for your loss."
"My daughter Emma was lucky to have Mrs Hays as her 4th grade teacher last year. Emma thought the world of her. She will be greatly missed at RICMS. "
"Kris taught two of my children and I am so grateful for the time she spent with my family. Kris was an amazing teacher and person. She will be greatly missed. "
"John, Ryanne, and all of Kris' family: We are deeply saddened by Kris' passing. We wish you all peace, strength, courage, and warm, fond memories during this difficult time. "
"My deepest condolences to John, Ryanne, Austin, and the grandchildren. I always enjoyed spending time with Kris when we worked at Napa. She was a dedicated worker, but her family meant more to her than anything. She was so loved by many and will be so missed. Leisha Goettsch"
"Judy, Korey and family, we arecsorry to hear of your loss. Sending prayers for all of you. The Furne Family "
"We're truly heartbroken! Aunt Kris was so fun and hilarious! I have wonderful memories that I'll continue to treasure. Love you, Uncle John, and my heart is with you at this difficult time.
Josh & Amy Sheff "
"Ryanne and family, I am so sorry to hear of this. Your mom was a nice lady. We didn't know each other well, but I could almost set my clock by when she went for her daily walk! Thinking of all of you. "
"John, Ryanne, and Austin, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. "
"She was a good basket ball player in school. She is my classmate the class of 1979 Maquoketa "
"My deepest sympathies to Judy, her husband, siblings, children and grandchildren. "
"My main memories of Kris is of her high school basketball team. They were very talented and entertaining in the day and the stories they shared were so funny both on and off the court. Kris was a fierce competitor and I can only imagine how hard she fought to spend as much time she could with her family. Prayers for you all. "
"To the family of a highly adored educator Mrs.Hays . Words cannot express how sorry I am and sending my condolences. She was a great beautiful soul. She was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher at RICMS, I am now a highschool graduate of 22. She had helped me and put so much of her wiseness into my soul that I will never forget. She talked about her family all the time and her basketball days of how she was a great player telling me to keep working hard and so much more. I don?t want to make this long as it is a condolence, but just know even in distance she has an impact on so many people, me being one of them. Her facial expressions are still branded in memory, her little hair swing to remove it from the front of her face, her giggle laugh, her black rolling bag with a whole side filled up with 100 pens, her side eye, and her beautiful bright blue eyes that could give you a stare that said more than words could. May your family find peace in grief and the memory of ?Kris hays? will forever flow, I will keep you guys in my prayers. And May your hearts be filled with surrounding love and comfort. "
"Our sympathy to the family of Kris."
"Judy and family: So very sorry for your loss. Sending you my deepest, heartfelt sympathy."
"Sorry for your loss, many fond memories Brian and Terri Lindemann "
"Judy and family- my thought and prayers are with at this very hard time.. I remember her from the good old 4-H days, wonderful person! Please know i am thinking of you and know that she left you with lots of great memories to help threw the sad times."
"Judy?..our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family"
"Judy and family. So sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength to face your sorrow! And hold you tight in His arms. Sheila Bentley"