Kelly Hayden

Kelly Donald Hayden, 57, of Topeka, passed away early Saturday morning, March 30, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born August 26, 1955 to Bernie & Margaret Hayden. Kelly was preceded in death by a sister, Cheryl Ann and his father, Bernard Leroy Hayden. He graduated from Hayden Catholic High School, Class of 1973. He was married to Phyllis Dean Hayden September 21, 1985. They divorced in 1996. Kelly will be deeply missed by his brothers, Dean and Dana and their families of Topeka and extended family members of Southeast Kansas. Kelly was gentle with his nieces and nephews as they grew up. He often made them hand-worked gifts, carving their names into individual coat racks, crafting a wooden hobby horse, or building a backyard treehouse. He was an independent contractor and worked most of his adult life self-employed in the construction and remodeling business. Kelly previously worked restoring furniture for MacFee’s Furniture Restoration and worked for Seaman School District as a repairman and handyman. Kelly was widely respected for his woodworking and carpentry skills. When he had an available summer, Kelly took time to do commercial fishing in Alaska. Kelly enjoyed his Alaskan summers and often brought back fresh salmon to share with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, grilling, and photographing the wildlife that shared his acreage. He enjoyed hosting family gatherings each summer and fall and his smoked turkey was without rival in the Hayden family. As a young adult, Kelly played rugby on a local rugby team. Despite being a man of few spoken words, Kelly enjoyed completing the daily crossword puzzle and cryptograph in the local paper. He also took the New York Times weekend edition and completed the crossword puzzle in ink. Family will greet friends Wed. from 4-6 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. that evening. Inurnment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Health Center Foundation Charity Care sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614.

Kelly Hayden

August 26, 1955 - April 3, 2013