Bertha Westphal Fontanelle,2004

WESTPHAL, ROOT, GOSNELL, LARSON MATTSON

Posted By: Mary Giles (email)
Date: 5/4/2005 at 16:37:51

Bertha May Westphal, 95, passed away June 5, in Urbandale.
She was born Jan.6,1909 in Adair County to John o. & Clara [Root] Gosnell.
She grew up & attended school through the eighth grade in Eureka Township.
She came to trust Christ as her own Lord & Savior at 17 years of age.
She was married to Frank Westphal on Aug.7,1927. To this union 4 children were born,; Gerald, Arthur, Marjorie, & Larry. Bertha & Frank raised their family in Richland Township. They were farmers in Adair County all their lives until retirement.
In 1991 Bertha moved from the family farm to an apartment in Fontanelle. On Jan. 6, of this year she celebrated her 95th birthday with a family gathering. On Jan. 20, she moved to Senior Suites in Urbandale.
Preceding her in death were her parents; 1 brother John; 4 sisters Estelle Larson, Faye Westphal, Minnie Root & 1 in infancy; husband Frank & son Gerald.
She is survived by her son Arthur & wife Helen Lou of Wiota; her daughter Marjorie Mattson & husband Clare of Prescoot Valley, Ariz.; her son Larry & wife Liz of Des Moines; daughter-in-law Marjorie Westphal of Fontanelle; 9 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
Funeral services were held June 9, at Steen Funeral Homes in Greenfield with Mr.Phil Cannon officiating.
Music tributes were by organist Zola Westphal with congregational singing.
Pallbearers were Doug Westphal, Brad Westphal, Nate Westphal, Jeff Westphal, Terry Boston & Kyle Westphal.
Honorary pallbearers were Don Westphal, Kenneth Blazek, Albert Williams, George Moon, Bruce Westphal, Earl Westphal, & Ted Larson.
Interment was in the Fontanelle Cemetery.