Armeda Florence (Dole) Hayer

Armeda Florence (Dole) Hayer, went to heaven on July 6, 2024, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center.

The thought of her waking up in heaven to the perfect peace and presence she anticipated is comforting.

Armeda was born, September 4, 1924, in Pullman, Wash., to Arthur and Zelma (Hatley) Dole. She was born on the family homestead in her grandmother's house, and had great memories from childhood there. She grew up in the country and attended country school until she was 15. The family moved to the Colfax/Garfield area and Armeda graduated from Colfax High School in 1942.

Armeda had many adventures growing up, riding to school on horseback, learning how to live off the land, and attending country church in the Union Flat area with her family. She received Jesus as Savior in her early teenage years and was baptized in Union Flat Creek along with her sister Wilma.

Armeda attended the University of Puget Sound for two years with an emphasis on Occupational Therapy. But soon she met Laurence Hayer at her sister's house and Laurence and Armeda were married October 22, 1950, in Colfax, Wash.

They lived and worked in the Pullman area for a bit and then moved to Belmont, Wash., to live and run Peringer Farms until retirement. During their time on the farm, Armeda loved to garden, she planted an orchard, cooked for numerous harvest crews, many of them lifelong friends. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and most things done with her hands. She helped lead the 'Blue Birds' girls group. She was an amazing housewife and mother.

Laurence and Armeda adopted two girls, Patricia Anne, and Linda Lee and raised them on the farm. Helping at school and attending events took up a lot of Armeda's time. The family took many camping trips and road trips, enjoying the outdoors. She always did things with so much grace and strength, never a complainer.

After retirement, they moved to the home place where Armeda spent her high school years. Enjoying many great times with the grandchildren, trips, overnighters, and cherished times together. Armeda also enjoyed a new hobby, wheat weaving, growing her own wheat and attending conventions. Into her 80's she babysat great-grand kids. Just before her 85th birthday she traveled to Guatemala with a local church mission team. A life long dream fulfilled.

She moved into Colfax in 2007 and remained at the Wheatland Arms condo, until two years ago when she moved to the Courtyard.

After her husband died, she took on helping children learn to read at Jennings Elementary School in Colfax. Her tenure there is treasured by all who encountered her. Known and 'Grandma' to so many.

Armeda was never bored. She found such beauty in the little things, each flower, each bird, such great appreciation for God's creation. She found such satisfaction is what she was doing, in each moment, the sound of the birds, the beauty of the flowers, she lived very content. Such an inspiration to all who knew her. In her last several years, she never complained about her situation or condition. She kept saying 'I'll be fine', when asked how she was. Always more interested in how others were. She will be missed immensely and cherished always.

Armeda is preceded in death by her parents, husband Laurence; sisters, Wilma and Patricia, and a brother, Bill.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Gold, (Colfax), Linda Olson, (Colfax), her grandchildren, Dominick Olson, Jacob Olson, Jenny McHugh and Katrina Sheridan, Also by her 14 great grandchildren, Joseph, Bailey, Makenna, Caleb, Trenton, Madison, Roman, Ellie, Kallen, Emma, Deacon, Riggins, Kennedy and Stetson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Corbeill Funeral Homes in Colfax, Wash., is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial Service will be held on September 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Colfax First Baptist Church. Refreshments will follow.