Gayle West

Gayle Lynn (McWhirter) West, age 72 of Darwin, MN went home to be with Jesus on November 18, 2023, at the age of 72 after a long journey with Multiple Sclerosis and a short battle with lung cancer. 

Gayle was born to Robert and Darlene (Arnold) McWhirter on October 16, 1951, in Hastings, Nebraska and graduated from Trumbull High School in 1970. After High School, Gayle attended travel agency school in Minneapolis. While in Minnesota, she was introduced on a blind date to Alan West and they married in April 1974. Gayle enjoyed being a farmwife and also worked for 30 years at Meeker County ProWorks. She loved playing piano and keyboard at church, traveling, and entertaining in her home. When M.S. limited her mobility, she made it her mission to give encouragement to others through personalized cards, notes and messages. She was affectionately known as “the card queen.” 

Her two children and three grandchildren were her greatest pride and joy and she loved spending time with her family and extended family. Throughout Gayle’s life and especially as she faced ongoing health issues, she had an unwavering faith in God. 

Gayle is preceded in death by her dad, Robert McWhirter of Doniphan, Nebraska and her in-laws, Arthur and Marie (Martens) West of Darwin, MN. She is survived by her mom, Darlene McWhirter and husband Bob of Grand Island, NE; loving husband, Alan West of Darwin, MN; daughter Megan Yates and husband Jason of Hutchinson, MN; son Abel West and wife Kara of Darwin, MN; grandchildren Levi Yates and Stella Yates of Hutchinson, MN and Avry West of Darwin, MN; brother Dan McWhirter and his wife Carol of Doniphan, NE; sister Julie Brown and husband Mark of Maitland, FL; sister Kim Bartlett and husband Tim of Vincennes, IN; sister Robyn Tarrant and husband Steve of Bradenton, FL; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters in-law.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 10:30 am at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield.  Interment will be held at Ellsworth Cemetery.