Irene Bernice Westphal

Irene Bernice Westphal of Marshall, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Minneota Manor Health Care Center. Funeral services are at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall with interment following in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 PM Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church.

Irene was born May 12, 1922 in Canby, MN. She was the daughter of August and Mabyl (Zilhart) Westphal. She grew up on the family farm and graduated with the Marshall High School class of 1940.

Irene spent her career as a Civil Employee with the US Department of Army with postings in Marshall, Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Ft Sheridan, IL, Camp McCoy, WI, Nurnberg, Germany and Seoul, Korea before retiring back to Marshall in April, 1972 where she provided loving care for her parents, brother and cats for many years on the family farm.

Irene was well traveled and was a lifetime learner with a keen mind for cross word puzzles, world politics and current events. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and loved to visit with family and friends. She was famous for her creative recipes and relish trays that she assembled from her vegetable garden. Irene enjoyed taking a variety of classes after retirement; learning Spanish, calligraphy, glass cutting, oil painting and many others. Irene was passionate about genealogy and did extensive research on her parent's families and published two in-depth books preserving the family history. Irene was active in the Presbyterian Church and the Lyon County Historical Society and treasured the time she spent serving on committees and being active in the parish.

She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Mabyl Westphal, two brothers Lawrence and Eldo, one sister Eldora (Sanders) and brother- in -law, Gordon Sanders. She is survived by two nephews Mike Sanders (Cindy) of Marshall and children Kelly (fiancée Jason Kaare), Luke and Christian of Marshall, Greg Sanders (Amy) of Lakeville, Minnesota and children Emily, Matt and Nick of Lakeville, and one niece Carol Hall (David) of Green Bay, WI, and children Jim, Kate and Bob of Appleton, WI.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Lyon County Historical Society and animal care projects. The family would like to thank all the wonderful care givers at the Minneota Manor and Prairie Home Hospice for their kindness.