Martha Westermann

Martha "Marty" E. Westermann, age 82, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 9, at her home on Eagle Lake.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 21, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at a later date.

Marty was born March 3, 1935, in Heimdal, North Dakota, the daughter of Mabel and Melvin Johnson. She grew up in Heimdal and graduated valedictorian from high school in 1953. She married Duane "Wes" Westermann and they lived in Bismarck, ND, where Wes worked as a pharmacist. Marty and Wes moved to Willmar in 1961 and Wes worked for the White Drug store in Willmar. After Wes retired in 1978, they purchased Valley Golf in Willmar, which he and Marty operated for over 20 years. Marty and Wes became close friends with many people in the Willmar area.

Marty was an active member of Vinje Lutheran Church, helping with the Lutefisk dinners by serving the lefse. She volunteered in the Willmar community, including helping with the Meals on Wheels program and with vision and hearing screening in the Willmar Public Schools for many years. Marty loved all animals, especially her cats and the birds and other creatures in her yard. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Dr. Denise (and Dr. Douglas) Schow of Tampa, Florida; two granddaughters, Megan Larson of Rochester, NY, and Emily Larson, of Minneapolis; two sisters, Doris Engebretson of Fargo, ND and Elaine (and Richard) Appelt, of Lake Villa, IL; one brother-in-law, Walden (and Lois) Westermann of Spokane, WA; besides other relatives and friends

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and a grandson, Michael Larson.