Lavern Westphal

LaVern W. Westphal, age 74 of rural Janesville, died on Monday, January 17,2011 at his Alton Township Home.   Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Dr. Larry Griffin, officiating. Interment will be in the St. John'-Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Iosco Township.    Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home in Janesville, and will continue on Friday morning for one hour prior to services, at church.   LaVern Wallace was born on August 1, 1936 in Waseca, Minnesota to William and Leona (Santo) Westphal. LaVern was baptized on August 30, 1936 and confirmed on April 2, 1950, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. He graduated from Janesville High School with the class of 1954. LaVern entered military service in the United States Navy. He was united in marriage to Carolynn J. Fischer on August 23, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. LaVern and Carolynn resided in Charleston, SC until his honorable discharge from his military duty. They returned home to Janesville where LaVern farmed and milked cows. They have resided their entire married life on the Fisher Family Farm in Alton Township, Waseca County. He was a life long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville, and a former member of the Janesville American Legion Post #281. LaVern enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, old time music, following Minnesota sports teams, and in his younger days dancing with Carolynn. He loved time spent with his family!   LaVern is survived by his wife Carolynn, and his children Gwen (Keith) Wheelock of rural Janesville, Gail (Ward) Maser, and Guy (Marilyn) Westphal, all of Eagan; by 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; by his brothers Ed Westphal of Rapid City, SD, and Harold (Arlene) Westphal of Janesville; by his sisters Dorothy (Alvin) Priem of Janesville, and Shirley (Alvin) Groskreutz of Waldorf; by nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents.   Casketbearers are:   Ben Wheelock, Jon Wheelock, Jesse Westphal, Jacob Westphal, Scott Kaminski, and Cal Priem.