Patricia Ellen Westphalen

A Celebration for the Life of
Patricia E. Westphalen
BORN
October 11, 1937
Sanborn, Iowa
ENTERED INTO REST
March 11, 2009
Sheldon, Iowa

Celebration of Life
10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 14, 2009
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church ~ Sheldon, Iowa
CLERGY
Father Robert Schimmer
Reflections of Pat’s Life ~ Ken VerSteeg
VISITATION
Will be after 6:00pm Friday, March 13, 2008 at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa, with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00pm, with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00pm.

MUSIC
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Psalm ~ “Shepherd Me, O God”
“Prayer of St. Francis”
“Here I Am Lord”
“Going Home”
Organist: Laura Wagner
Vocalist: Mary Donohue

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Grandsons
Deric Den Hartog Kyle Den Hartog
Michael Westphalen Daniel Westphalen
Grant Kenney Nick Westphalen

FINAL RESTING PLACE
St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home

We wish to express our gratitude for your kind thoughts and prayers.
You are invited to join the family in the Parish Hall for
refreshments and a time of fellowship after today’s service.

Patricia Ellen Westphalen


Patricia Ellen Westphalen was born in Sanborn, Iowa on October 11, 1937, the daughter of Bud and Johanna (Hansen) Wright. Pat attended school in Sanborn, Iowa. She worked at the telephone company with her best friend Darlene Westphalen, whom introduced Pat to her very handsome brother, Marvin. They soon fell in love and were married on April 22, 1957. Together they moved to a farm outside of Dickens, Iowa. In 1963, they moved to Sheldon.
It was in 1968, that Pat broke her back which started her many trials and courageous battles in and out of hospitals. During it all Pat never gave up or stopped helping and giving to others. She worked at J.C. Penney’s and Kuschners Eye Center. But her true passion came when she went to work for the Handicap Village in 1989. She recently retired from the Village after celebrating 18 years of service.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon. Pat’s pride and joy came when she was able to spend countless hours with her grandchildren baking, laughing, shopping and giving.
A priceless memory we will all cherish.
Her memories will be cherished by… her husband, Marvin of 51 years; five children, Deb Holz and her husband, Randy of Sheldon; Darwin Westphalen and his wife, Laura of Sheldon; Brian Westphalen and his wife, Jewl of Knoxville, TN; Leigh Kenney and her husband, Rhett of Hanford, CA and Dan Westphalen and his wife, Joan of Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren: Deric, Kyle, Michael, Daniel, Brianna, Amber, Paige, Marlee, Grant, Cassie, Jamie and Nick; one great-grandson, Tommy; two brothers, Delbert Wright and his wife, Pat of Livermore, CA; Arnie Wright and his wife, Alta of Sun City, AZ; four sisters, Jeannine Harnack and her husband, Gus of Carroll, IA; Virginia Hendrickson and her husband, Bob of Sun City, AZ; Bonnie Palmer and her husband, Terry of Rapid City, SD; Alene Jacox and her husband, Gene of Scottsbluff, NE; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Johanna Wright and a brother, Les Wright.