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Roger ‘Butch’ Westphal Obituary – 1/16/2015


Roger “Butch” Westphal, age 83, of Albion Center, entered into eternal life Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. 

Butch was born March 1, 1931, in Howard Lake, to Frederick and Mabel (Jestus) Westphal.  His mother passed away when he was 3 weeks old, and he lived with relatives in Belle Plaine until age 6, when he came back to live with his dad and siblings in Howard Lake. 

Butch graduated from Howard Lake in 1949. 

He honorably served our country in the US Army during the Korean War.

Butch was united in marriage to Lois Engel Sept. 10, 1955, at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.  Butch and Lois were blessed with 51 years of marriage, and four children, before Lois’s death in 2007. 

Butch and Lois were self-employed and worked alongside each other at various retail businesses for many years in Aitkin, Howard Lake, Cokato, and Albion Center.  Butch also was employed as a deputy sheriff in Aitkin County, and was a volunteer fireman for many years. 

He played for and managed the Howard Lake Orphans baseball team in his younger days. 

Butch’s last business venture prior to retirement was working at Harold’s Shoe Repair in Little Canada with his two sons.

In retirement, Butch enjoyed building picnic tables and woodworking. 

He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake. 

Butch enjoyed playing cards, gardening, visiting with people, nature, and animals.  He had a great sense of humor, a knack for making people feel comfortable, and knew when to add a witty remark or sarcasm.  He made many new friendships in his final year at Cottagewood Assisted Living.  

Most of all, Butch loved God and his family.

In addition to his wife, Lois, Butch was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Dan Jost; sister and brother-in-law Eleanore and Gervase Sexton; brother and sister-in-law Don and Shirley Westphal; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mel and Helen Engel. 

He is survived by his children, Wendy Jost of Annandale, Wayne (Joy) Westphal of Vadnais Heights, Wanda (Mike) Gagnon of Waverly, and Wyatt of Vadnais Heights; five grandchildren, Andy (Christine) Gagnon, Penny Westphal, Luke (Amy) Gagnon, Kelly Westphal, and Jesse Westphal; three great-grandchildren, Jace and Drew Gagnon, and Baby Gagnon expected any day; brother and sister-in-law Wilfred and Mary Westphal; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dale and Bonnie Engel; and his beloved cat, Fluff. 

Funeral services took place Friday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake, with visitation prior to the service at the church. beginning at 9 a.m. 

Pallbearers were Andy, Luke, Christine, and Amy Gagnon, Penny, Kelly, and Jesse Westphal, and Bill Westphal.

Arrangements were entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake. Obituary, guestbook and video tribute can be found online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake. 

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