Michael “Mike” Joseph Hayes, age 61 of Alden, MN, lost his battle with lung cancer, Monday, April 8,2024. A celebration of life will be held April 13, 2024 at “Mikes shop”, 21509 700th Ave, Alden, MN 56009 from 2:00-4:00PM.

Michael “Mike” Hayes was born March 4, 1963 at St. Michaels Hospital in Newark, NJ to Stanley and Marie (Maulbeck) Hayes. Due to some family alcoholism issues, he was raised by his grandparents, Frederick and Anna Maulbeck. At 18, Mike started driving semi-truck in the NYC tri-state area, going over the road at age 21.

After living briefly in Western Pennsylvania and Southern Arizona, while driving across Minnesota, he got to experience the Halloween ice storm of 1991. Despite that, he relocated to Minnesota in the spring of 1992 to be with his future bride. Mike was united in marriage to Deb Hansen in May 1994 with a simple ceremony in her parents’ back yard in Alden.

In August 2003 his dream came true, Mike bought his first semi-truck and became an owner/operator instead of a company driver. Sometimes it was a rough ride but overall, it provided a good life.

Mike’s passion and enjoyment in life were going for rides with his oldest son on their Harleys, going for trike rides with Deb, puttering around on the farm and just hanging out with the grandkids.

Mike is survived by his wife Deb; sons: Dominic (Jennifer) and Adam (his special friend Hallie) both of Albert Lea; daughter, Kelli (Andrew) Wonsmos of Wisconsin Rapids; grandchildren: Damion and Jemma, who he will miss the most; in-laws: Dave and Deanna Hansen, Janet and Joe Herget, Christina (Hansen) Peterson; aunt and uncle Bob and Eileen Hayes of Independence MO; Cousin Darlene (Jim) Blum of Adrian, MO; many nieces and nephews; and his oversized “puppy” Titan.

Mike is preceded in death by his grandparents, Fredrick and Anna Maulbeck and his in-laws, Don and Elaine Hansen.