Richard Westurn

A memorial service for Richard D. Westurn will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, November 20, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea.  The Reverend Dwight Netzer will officiate.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veteran’s Organizations.  Burial will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Richard passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 11, 2017.  He was 85 years old.

Richard Duane Westurn was born on December 19, 1931 in Hibbing, MN to Floyd and Victoria (Eck) Westurn.  He grew up and was raised in Hibbing, and would graduate from Hibbing High School in 1949.  He would go on to enlist in the United States Navy and served for nearly four years, until his honorable discharge.  After his return, he went to the Minnesota School of Business.  He would graduate in 1955 and went to work for Wilson and Co in Albert Lea, where he worked in the accounting department.

On September 10, 1955, he was united in marriage to Barbara (Borgeson) in Hibbing, MN.  To this union, 4 children were born: Steven, Susan, Mary Ann, and John.  The family moved several times to follow Richard’s work.  They lived in Park Forest, IL, back to Albert Lea, Cedar Rapids, IA, and then would return to Albert Lea where they would remain residents.  Dick served as Office Manager in both Albert Lea and Cedar Rapids locations.  He was transferred back to Albert Lea as the Administration Assistant to the Manager, and then was promoted to Plant Manager where he served that role until the plant was sold to Farmstead.  He was then employed by Jobs Inc.

He served on the Freeborn County Chemical Department, YMCA Board of Directors, United Way, Jobs INC. Board, Minnesota Safety Council, Treasurer for First Presbyterian Church, Board of Directors at Naeve Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, and was a member of the American Legion and was a part of the Freeborn County Softball Hall of Fame.  Dick was active in Boy Scouts, having served as Scoutmaster in both Cedar Rapids and Albert Lea.

Above all, Barbara, his wife, was Dick’s true love.  The spent several years vacationing in Florida during the winter months.  They both loved to exercise and spent many hours at the YMCA and biking on various bike trails.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara (May 5, 2017); both parents, Floyd and Vicky.

Dick is survived by his children, Steven Westurn of Iowa City, IA, Susan (Jim) Klein of Coon Rapids, MN, Mary Ann (Michael) Westurn Reed of Racine, MN, and John (Michele) Westurn of Beaver, PA; grandchildren, Matthew, Alyssa, Melanie, Joshua, Kristina, Rachel, and Savannah; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Tahlia, Evelyn, and Briella; a sister, Joann (Howard) Yahrmatter of Hibbing, MN; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

Blessed be his memory.