Gundi Hayes

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Gundi (Estlick) Hayes, 69
Gundi S. Busch was born on Sept. 11, 1938 on the Baltic Sea at Grevesmuhlen, Germany. She suffered a massive stroke on July 26, 2008 and passed away that same day.
Gundi had a warm and loving nature, a sharp mind and a delicious sense of humor. To know her was to love her.
She met her first love and husband, Jerry Estlick, while he was stationed with the US military at Bad Aibling, Germany. She was visiting friends in that area, recuperating from an appendectomy. They met, dated and fell in love. They were married in Germany where their eldest child, Susanne, was born. After Jerry’s discharge, they settled in Austin. Their family grew to include three more children: Mike, Dawne and Jackie. They eventually moved to Mankato, where Jerry received his BA degree. This led them to Colorado Springs, where he taught school for nearly 20 years and Gundi was employed by TRW.
Jerry passed away on June 7, 1997 following a lengthy illness, Gundi had cared for him with love and devotion during his illness and was devastated at his passing.
William (Buck) Hayes was an acquaintance of theirs whom they had met while camping with the Good Sam Group. Several years after Jerry’s death he called Gundi and invited her to dinner to celebrate his birthday. She accepted and they soon found they shared many common interests.They married in June 2001. They had a wonderful seven years together. He always lovingly referred to her as his “bride” and she delighted in calling him “Mr. Hayes.” Gundi was blessed to have been loved by two good men.
She is survived by her husband; her children, Susanne (Mike) Harrelson, Mike (Sally) Estlick, Dawne (Gary) Harrison, Jackie (Pete) Zimowski; step-children, Linda and Randy; grandchildren and great-granchildren; sister-in-law, Pat (Ray) Swenson, Austin, Naomi Carter, Sacramento, Calif.; and two brothers in Germany.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry Estlick; his parents, Frank and Mary Estlick; her parents, Nicolai and Ellinor Busch and brother, Hans Gunther Busch.
When we think of Gundi, we will always smile. She survived a terrible war, leaving her family in Germany, coming to a strange country, the rigors of raising a damily and the loss of a husband. Despite this, she always remained positive with a big hug and a smile for everyone. We shall miss her. Blessed be her memory.
Funeral services and a celebration of her life were held on July 30, 2008 in Colorado Springs, Colo.