Donald Henry Westphal was born February 13, 1928 in St. Peter, Minnesota, the son of Henry and Caroline (Luebke) Westphal. He was baptized on July 13, 1928 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter and confirmed in his faith at this same church on June 6, 1943. He grew up on the family farm attending country grade school and graduating from St. Peter High School on May 29, 1946. To go to high school he would ride horse to the neighbor’s farm and then catch a ride into town with them. Joining the Army he served his country until receiving a medical discharge after which he found employment at a stone quarry in Kasota, Minnesota.
Donald began his married life with Vivian Starke on September 25, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Nicollet, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with three children.
After graduating from Barber School in 1952 he began his career in Osseo before purchasing the Barber Shop in Howard Lake, which he owned and operated from 1954 to 2009. For 20 years he also drove school bus. As a member of St. James Lutheran Church, he served as an Elder, on various church boards and committees.
He enjoyed ice fishing with friends and family, gardening, doing yard work, going on family vacations, listening to old-time music, watching the Twins and spending time with family, grandkids and the great-grandkids. His devotion and care given to his wife Vivian in her last months was a true display of family commitment.
It was on August 21, 2016 while a resident at the Howard Lake Care Center that Donald was called to his eternal rest having reached the age 88 years, 6 months and 8 days
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Vivian; two brothers and three sisters.
Donald is survived by his daughter Deborah (David) Entner of Moose Lake, sons, Steven (Lynette) of Buffalo and Robert (Kelly) of Savage; grandchildren, Kristine, Paul, Philip, Clara, Trenton, Traci, Katie, Lauren and Mallory; great-grandchildren, Noah, Lucy, Fraya, Loretta, Aiden, Ryder, Hattie, Melanie, Rue, Hartley with another due in September; two great-step-grandchildren Tylor and Kyle; one sister Pearl Savoy of New Ulm; sister-in-law Marlys Peters (Jerome); brother-in-law Emil Starke, Jr.; nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service; 11 AM Thursday, 8/25/2016, at St. James Lutheran School of Howard Lake. Visitation: 4-7 PM Wednesday, at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake and 1hr prior to Funeral Service Thursday at church. Prayer service: 7 PM Wednesday, Interment Howard Lake Cemetery
Aug
22