Shirley Jane Westphal, age 90, of Howard Lake, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of Minneapolis.
She was born Sept. 28, 1922, at Glenwood, to William and Vanessa (Clemens) Bowen. She grew up in Sedan and Glenwood, graduating from Glenwood High School in 1940.
After graduation, Shirley traveled to Howard Lake to help her sister, Lillian Munson, take care of her young family. While there, she met Donald Westphal. They were married March 14, 1943.
In addition to being a full-time housewife and mother, Shirley had also been a telephone operator, worked at Custer’s Super Valu in Howard Lake, Tonka Toys, the Howard Lake Herald newspaper, and, her favorite job, at Howard Lake Schools.
Shirley was very active at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, and also as a member of the Uffda Club.
She is survived by her children, Genell K. Reese of Howard Lake, Bruce (Bobbi) Westphal of Dayton, NV, and Jerrod (Ann) Westphal of Milaca; grandchildren Christopher Westphal, Jason Westphal, both of Grand Forks, ND, Alexi (Parhelium) Wesphal of Minot, ND, Amanda (Robert) Chambers of Carson City NV, John Reese of Howard Lake, Ashley Westphal of St. Bonifacious, and Lindsey Westphal of Milaca; and two great-grandchildren, Mackade and Isaac Chambers.
Shirley is further survived by a sister, Verna (Maurice) Kellander; sister-in-law Jean Bowen; and brothers-in-law Wilfred (Mary) Westphal and Roger (Butch) Westphal.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Vanessa Bowen; husband Donald; brothers Truman Bowen, Willard (Ruth) Bowen, and Warren (Maxine) Bowen; sisters Lillian (Floyd) Munson, Beth Nemes, Alice (Pat) Ketcham, Inez (Paul) Norlien, and Elsie (Virgil) Cummins; and sisters-in-law Eleanore (Gervase) Sexton and Lois Westphal.
A memorial service took place Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. There will be spring interment in the Howard Lake Cemetery.
Visitation was Monday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Arrangements were handled by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.
Leave a Reply