Hailey "Hjelle" West

Hailey Mackenzie West, 28, formerly of New London, died Saturday, January 17 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato due to medical complications. Her funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, January 24 at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Her visitation will be 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to the service. www.hafh.org

Hailey Mackenzie Hjelle was born June 21, 1997, in Willmar, Minnesota, to James Hjelle and Lori (Hanson) Evans. She was baptized and confirmed at East Norway Lake Lutheran Church in rural New London. Hailey was raised in New London and graduated from New London–Spicer High School in 2015.

From a young age, Hailey knew she was called to be a nurse. After high school, she attended Ridgewater College, where she earned her associate degree in nursing. She continued her education through Capella University, earning her bachelor's degree in nursing. Hailey worked as a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato before transitioning to a remote registered nurse role at Allina Health, a career she deeply loved and felt honored to serve in.

In 2020, Hailey met the love of her life and soulmate, Bailey West. The couple was united in marriage on September 27, 2024, in Alexandria. Their love was truly one of a kind. Together, they cherished their fur babies, Paisley, Jasper, and Zoey, and made their home in Mankato.

Hailey will be remembered for her kindness, infectious laugh, warm smile, and, above all, her compassion, qualities that shone through every day in her work as a nurse. She enjoyed rock hounding, traveling, reading, and most of all, spending time with her family.

In 2023, Hailey was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Although the diagnosis forced her to step away from the career she loved, she faced her illness with incredible courage and determination, never allowing it to define or limit her spirit.

Hailey is survived by her husband, Bailey West; her mother, Lori (Lance) Evans; siblings, Treston Hjelle, David Wrightson, and Chris (Sarah) Wrightson; and her nieces and nephews, Cooper, Finley, and Penny Wrightson. She is also survived by her parents-in-law, Albert and Jessica West; sister-in-law, Kelsey West; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; father, James Hjelle; her aunt, Karen Hjelle; her uncle, Dave Hjelle; and her cousins, Robbie Hjelle and Paige Hjelle.