Barbara A. Hayden

Barbara Ann Hayden, 77, was called to her heavenly home on January 12, 2019. She left this world at Good Samaritan Center in Wood River where she has lived for the past several years. Memorial service will be 10:30 am Friday, January 18, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wood River with Father Paul Colling celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mar’s Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 pm Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family to be put towards a donation to the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center in Wood River to honor Barbs love of children.



Barbara was born to Ernest “Jack” and Mamie (Kearney) English on April 13, 1941, at her parent’s home in Wood River, NE. She grew up in Wood River and attended school there, graduating from Wood River High School in 1958. While in school she was an active member of the band and played the trumpet. She shared her talents with the community by playing TAPS for local military services while in school and after graduating. In 1962, she married Richard Hayden and they had 3 daughters.



After moving to McCook, NE, and Kearney, NE, for a brief time, she returned to Wood River and made her home there for the rest of her life. She was active in the community while working with the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church.

During her adult life, Barb held many different jobs which included working in retail, telephone operator for Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, cook at Wood River High School, at Eaton Corporation, helping manage the American Legion in Wood River, and a care giver for her grandchildren.



In her free time she enjoyed gardening, boating, and camping, painting ceramics, and doing crafts. She loved butterflies and hummingbirds and being outside. Her home was always brightly decorated for every holiday, with Christmas being a favorite. She was a great cook, but will always be remembered for her baking of an abundance of holiday treats, candies, and cookies for everyone. Barb also enjoyed watching Husker football and her beloved Chicago “Cubbies” baseball games on TV. Her house was the central meeting place for family get togethers; and she loved spending time there with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Barb is survived by her daughters: Michelle (Martin) Wiseman of Wood River, NE, Sheila Hayden of Atlantic, IA, Shawna (Larry) Garland of Ohiowa, NE; grandchildren: Mandy and Audrey Wiseman, Drew and Torrie Wiseman, Luke Wiseman all of Grand Island, NE, Lance Wiseman of Easton Pennsylvania, Shelby Garland and fiancé Brandon Freeman of Pierce, NE, Cody Garland of Beatrice, NE; brother: Larry (Gayalyn) English of Alda, NE, sisters: Roma Spellman of Kearney, NE, Arlene Wiseman of Papillion, NE; sisters-in-law: Eileen English and Delores English of Grand Island; NE, Irene English of Harrington, NE; as well as several nieces and nephews.



She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Harold English, Eugene “Jake” English, Bernard English; and brother-in-law Marvon Spellman.