Haley Rose McCollough Fenske (aka McFenske) January 2, 1993- February 26, 2023

Small but mighty!  Haley fiercely and courageously battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) for 9 months, full of hope and determination.  She was taken from us too soon, but she taught us to be strong and embrace every moment, every breath.  Haley lived her life enthusiastically with pure joy and passion!

Haley was a gift to us.  An angel, born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA.  She grew up in Concord, CA attending Clayton Valley Parent PreSchool, Cornerstone Family School at Ygnacio Valley Elementary, Sequoia Middle School and Northgate High School.  Haley was athletic and loved playing softball and soccer.  She was also a girl scout and enjoyed summer camps and selling cookies.  She always put 100% into whatever she was doing.

Haley excelled academically and found her direction in the Sports Med program at Northgate.  She accelerated and graduated from Chico State in 3 years with her under grad in Kinesiology. While at Chico she joined the AGD sorority.   Haley earned her Master of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College in Kinesiology, Sports Management. Haley was proud to be a Gael. She interned with the athletic department at St. Mary’s and simultaneously secured an internship with the Oakland A’s. Haley was a lifelong A’s fan, truly rooted in Oakland. After gaining full-time employment in Community Engagement with the A’s her accomplishments were significant!  Haley oversaw the renovation of the Stomper Fun Zone, created the Math Hits board game, and helped pilot the Shirts Off Their Backs event.  Her most remarkable achievement was, start to finish, Stomper on the Town to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the A’s in Oakland.  Haley was ultra-invested in her jobs with the A’s. Haley loved organizing and following through on big projects.  She was a tireless worker.

After 5 years with the A’s she was ready for a change.  In 2019 she chose to switch directions and wanted to work with college athletes.  Some saw this as a step back but Haley was driven and knew she wanted to impact college lives. Haley chose an internship in athletics at the University of Minnesota.  She was confident in committing to a move across the country, away from family and friends, knowing it was a step out of her comfort zone and only a one-year commitment.  BUT everything changed when she met the love of her life, Ethan Fenske.  They worked only a few offices away from one another and quickly gravitated together.

Ethan introduced Haley to the pleasures of the Midwest. To Haley’s delight they four wheeled, snowmobiled, partied on the pontoon boat and fished.  Together they attended many Gopher sporting events, to support her student athletes.  After her one-year internship, employment choices were tricky.  Haley accepted a job as an academic advisor at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.  Again, relocating to a new and unknown place.  Due to COVID, rather than being forced to continue their relationship long distance, Ethan relocated to Logan to work remotely, and they continued their courtship. Their love grew! Haley and Ethan were engaged on May 22, 2020, married on Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe on October 9, 2021, and got keys to their first home in Hudson, WI on February 26, 2022.  They were living their dream.

Haley was all about vacation and travel.  She made her way to England, Scotland, Wales, Mexico, Italy and Costa Rica.  Haley loved family vacations to Lake Tahoe and Cabo San Lucas and sharing those with Ethan.

Haley’s greatest concern was always for the people around her. She loved to surprise people with treats, uplifting messages and random gifts.  Spending time hiking or with animals, made her day! She loved the outdoors. Haley was a avid runner and she completed multiple half marathons.

Haley is lovingly survived by her husband, Ethan Fenske; her parents Ann and Rob McCollough; in-laws, Scott and Glenda Fenske; brother-in-law, Jordan Fenske.  Haley will continue to shine her light on her aunts, uncles, grandpa, half-brother and all of her cousins who love her wholeheartedly. Haley will be greatly missed by all of her devoted friends. To know her was to love her. Her beauty, her smile, her dimples and her wit will be sorely missed.

Haley’s family would also like to express their deep gratitude for all the loving and wonderful care Haley received over the past 9 months at Regions Hospital in St Paul and UMN Fairview, East Bank BMT 5-C, and the Masonic Cancer Clinic in Minneapolis.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 1pm-4pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 11th St., Hudson, WI 54016.  At 3pm there will be an uplifting prayer of hope shared. The service will be livestreamed HERE.

Additionally a celebration of Haley’s life will take place in California on Monday, March 20, 2023.  A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Columba Catholic Church, 6401 San Pablo Ave.  Oakland, CA 94608.  Following Mass family and friends are invited to gather for an Irish wake at Headlands Brewing Company, 3420 Mount Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA 94549 from 1-5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Haley’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) or the Angel Foundation, Mendota Heights, MN. Another way to honor Haley would be to consider donating blood and/or platelets at a Red Cross Center near you.