Beverly Hayes

Dec 24, 1930 -

Jan 29, 2020

Beverly Jean "Babe" Larsh Hayes was born Christmas Eve 1930, in Marshfield, Ore., to Emil Larsh and Gertrude (Guntley) Larsh. She died peacefully at Mat-Su Regional Hospital on Jan. 29, 2020, with loved ones holding her hands.

Beverly was 4 years old when she, her 1-year-old sister Bonnie and their parents traveled on the ship "USMS North Star" from Seattle to Alaska to join other colonists in the Mat-Su Valley. Beverly recalled with pride that her brother Monte was the first baby boy born at Valley Hospital in 1935.

She began her education in the Palmer Territorial School, recalling these years with joy. Many of these early friendships continued throughout Bev's life. After graduating in 1948, Beverly went to work in the Palmer Photo Shop, where a lifelong interest in art and fine craftsmanship began to develop.

She met and married Dale Roetman, a newly-arrived Alaska enthusiast, in October 1949. They soon moved to Anchorage, where they built up the Alaska Asphalt Paving Company. With characteristic enthusiasm, she learned to operate heavy equipment. Two sons were born to them: Bradley Craig, who died as the result of a filling station fire in 1970 and Gregory Dale, who is temporarily living in California.

In addition to her interest in art, Bev became known for her delight in wilderness adventures. After Dale's death in 1958, she married Alaska hunting and fishing guide, Ron Hayes. Together they hunted, fished, filmed and produced Alaska Safari, which is still occasionally aired on PBS. Delight in the Alaska wilds was always the first love, but the duo also visited and hunted in other countries and produced African Safari and Indian Safari. She and Ron separated but remained friends through common interests.

Beverly loved interacting with people and held jobs at the Anchorage International Airport gift shop, ran a gift shop in a Colorado ski town, worked many years on the trans-Alaska pipeline and commercial fished in Cook Inlet. A very kind, generous and independent person, she loved music, theater and dancing. Babe was also a talented painter and potter in her "spare time." After building a home and settling into Settler's Bay Village, she began working at The Gallery, where she shared her passion for the arts with customers for more than 30 years. Beverly retired from The Gallery at age 85!

Beverly is survived by her son, Gregory Dale Hayes and his children, Ron, Dusten and Halee; her sister, Bonnie Larsh Willden and her children, Robert and Stephen Meiers, Cathy Meiers Willams, Gary Grasser and Frank Morgan; and by the daughters of her late brother Monte, Debbie, Paula and Melissa (Vanessa is deceased). Babe is also survived by many members of Dale Roetman's family who continued to be close to her. Everyone who ever met Babe will love and miss her easy laugh and adventurous spirit always.

A Celebration of Life for Beverly is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at the Palmer Elks Lodge, 2600 North Barry's Resort Drive, Wasilla, Alaska, at 4 p.m.