Hayley S. Hurst, 35, of Bellevue, IA passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2024, at home after a very courageous battle with stomach cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband, three children and many family members.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12th, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A private family wake service will be held at 1:45 p.m.

In honor of Hayley, please wear your Hayley shirt or if your child plays ball with Hayley and Jeff’s kids, have them wear their jersey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Fr. David Schatz officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Hayley was born on November 3, 1988, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Michael Widmeier and Rita Sandt. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 2007. On November 5, 2011, she was united in marriage to Jeffrey J. Hurst at the church of the Nativity.

Hayley was employed at the University of Dubuque until February 2023 when she finally shifted to her dream job of staying at home to take care of her family. She was so grateful to do so.

Most nights you could find her reading, or sports betting with Mitchell while waiting outside of her kids practices.

Hayley lived for her family. Her greatest joy was watching her children’s sporting events. She loved spending the weekends at the ball field & volleyball court. She was their biggest and loudest cheerleader.

She loved her and Jeff’s date nights which usually consisted of going to a concert or the casino with her playing a slot machine.

Along with being a devoted mother and wife, Hayley was also an incredible sister. Hayley and Hannah were best friends and inseparable. Hayley’s love for Hannah and Mitchell was immense. With a full house, Hayley invited Hannah and Mitchell to stay after Hannah’s accident. The three of them had a bond that would never waver.

She is survived by her husband Jeff and their children: Bella, Lincoln and Leo; her mother and father Rita Widmeier and Michael Widmeier; her brother Mitchell Widmeier and sister Hannah Widmeier; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Steve & LuAnn Hurst, and her grandparents: Mina Sandt & Biddy Ramsteadt. She is also survived by her siblings-in-law: Jed (Becky) Hurst, and their children Nora, Archer; Abbey (Nick) DeStefano and their children Evie, Violet and Silvie; Jake (Meghan) Hurst and their children Claire, Henry and James.

She was preceded in death by: Grandparents Dick Sandt, Mark Widmeier, uncles: Tim Widmeier and John Widmeier and her aunt Anne Wallace.

In lieu of flowers a Hayley Hurst memorial fund will be established for her children.

Jeff and family would like to thank the City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center and their amazing doctors and nurses; also to Hospice of Dubuque especially Sascha and Kristina for their care and compassion for Hayley and her family. 

A very special thank you to the community of supporters, far and wide who came together for Hayley and her family, you surrounded us in our darkest days. To the supporters of “Hayley’s Fight”, we cannot thank you enough for the for your generosity and love for our family. You have been a bright light in a dark time, thank you for helping us through this most difficult time.