Myrtle Hay

Myrtle Hay, age 99, formerly of Revillo, SD, passed away on February 13, 2022.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Revillo City Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Marietta Legion. All relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Myrtle Eleanor (Goodmurphy) Hay was born on January 14, 1923, on Cockburn Island, Ontario, Canada, which is close to Sault Ste. Marie. She loved to tell stories about growing up with her 12 brothers and sisters there. She came to live in the Milbank and Revillo, SD, areas as the bride of James Hugh Hay who, like the majority of young men, went off to fight in World War II. Myrtle met Jim when he and his buddies, stationed in Sault Ste Marie, MI, went to the Canadian cafe where Myrtle was working. Jim bet his fellow soldiers that he could get a date with the best-looking waitress there. Jim won the bet and the girl! They fell in love and were married a few months later. During the war years, many things were scarce and Myrtle did not have a “topper” for their wedding cake. One of the guests removed his handmade “V for Victory” lapel pin that most men wore and it became their cake topper.

When Jim was deployed to Europe, Myrtle came to stay with his parents, Walt and Emma Hay near Nassau, MN. When the war ended, Jim returned to South Dakota and started farming south of Revillo. While farming, they were blessed with four children: Ron, Antoinette, Woody, and Tom. In 1953, they moved to Deerwood, MN, built a summer resort that they operated until 1968; and welcomed two more children: Colleen and Jim to their family. Myrtle loved the resort life and had many people who came as guests and remained lifelong friends. In 1969, Jim and Myrtle moved back to the family farm and Myrtle became a farmer’s wife for the second time. Myrtle loved coming back to the Revillo area, but Jim also made sure they made trips back to her family in Canada.

In 1975, Jim and Myrtle officially retired and spent their summers fishing and traveling and spent their winters golfing in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Through all these life changes Myrtle said, "I had the same job all my life, and can't retire. My job is taking care of Jim Hay." Myrtle and Jim were married for 46 years until his untimely death. Several years later, Myrtle married Jim Vincent, Jim Hay's best friend since childhood. They grew old together fishing, golfing, and traveling. They were together until Jim Vincent died in 2017.

Myrtle loved the United States; however, she was Canadian through and through. Whenever she met someone from Canada she would first ask if they were related and if not, who they knew; Everyone is connected in Canada! Myrtle’s wish was to have half her ashes taken home to Canada and there will be a service there the first week in August. There will also be a service in Myrtle’s memory on June 11th in Revillo, SD.

She is survived by her children: Ronald (Iris) Hay of Revillo, SD; and Antoinette (Jim) Henningson of St. Joseph, MN; Colleen (Brian) Linscomb of Montpelier, ID; and James (Jeff) Hay of Kimball, MN; daughter-in-law, Jean Warren of Lake Jackson, TX; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim Hay; second husband, Jim Vincent; sons: Thomas and Walter “Woody”; granddaughter, Heather; her parents; and six siblings.

Myrtle lived a great life. The family gives many thanks to her “family” at Grace Haven and the loving hands that gave her hospice care.