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Walter E. Westlund Obituary – 3/4/2012


Walter E. Westlund, age 92, of Mayer, died Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

He was born April 27, 1919, in Hollywood Township, the son of Ansgar and Annie (Milford) Westlund. Walter was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown.

He proudly served in the US Army from 1943, starting as a private, and was honorably discharged in 1946, as a lieutenant.

Walter was united in marriage to Grace F. Tesch Nov. 30, 1943, at United Methodist Church in Mayer.

A loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, Walter loved playing with his great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the Waconia VFW and the Watertown American Legion.

Walter enjoyed buying and selling tractors and cars, deer and pheasant hunting, mowing lawn, and farming, especially cutting hay, which was one of his favorite things to do. He would often play the Button Box, listen to old tyme music, and loved to go dancing. Walter also liked watching the Minnesota Twins and collecting baseball caps.

He and Grace spent their last 30 years wintering in Arizona.

Walter was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Richard Trittabaugh; parents Ansgar and Annie Westlund; a sister, Ruthy Johnson; and a brother, Vernon Westlund.

He is survived by his loving family; wife, Grace; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Merlin Hilk of Waconia, and Susan Trittabaugh of New Germany; son and daughter-in-law Eldon and Mary Westlund of Mayer; grandchildren, David Hilk, Mike Hilk, LeaAnn Hilk, Kim and Garlen Gruenhagen, Becky and Dan Carlson, Gregg and Barb Trittabaugh, Doug and Shannon Trittabaugh, Kay and Casey Hoskins, Amy and Brandon Heaser, Matt Westlund, Kelly and Nathan Wait, and Dennis and Jinnah Westlund; and great-grandchildren, Addison and Connor Heaser, and Preslie Westlund.

Walter is further survived by a sister, Bernice Mueller of Watertown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Hjelton Johnson of Robbinsdale, Shirlee Tesch of Winsted, Jane and Leslie Olson of Fridley, James and Margie Tesch of Howard Lake, Gerald Tesch of Minneapolis, Elaine Nelson of Atwater, Fred and Lillie Tesch of Mayer, Iila and Leland Nelson of Atwater, Carol Schuette of Howard Lake, and Bob and Myrna Tesch of Loyal, WI; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service took place Thursday, March 8 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown with the Rev. David Weeks officiating. There was visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment followed in Faith Rutz Lake Cemetery in Waconia, with military honors conducted by the Waconia VFW and the Watertown American Legion.

Casket bearers were David Hilk, Mike Hilk, Matt Westlund, Dennis Westlund, Casey Hoskins, and Gregg Trittabaugh.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.

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