Janet R. Westhoff (1934-2020)

WESTHOFF, OSTERHAUS, KOCH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/28/2020 at 18:10:46

Janet Rosemary Westhoff, 85, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester of complications from COVID-19.

Private Family Mass of Christian Burial: St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, with Fr. Gabriel Anderson officiating

Private Family Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery

Janet was born Dec. 8, 1934, near Petersburg, the daughter of Julanda (Osterhaus) and Lawrence Koch. She attended school in Petersburg and went on to work for several families, helping with childcare, cooking and cleaning.

On Aug. 8, 1956, Janet was united in marriage to Walter Westhoff at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Petersburg. Eight children were born to this union, and she was very proud of her family. Janet and Walter first farmed near Buck Creek, and from 1964 until 1996, they operated a farm near Greeley, where they milked cows and raised hogs.

Janet was an avid sewer, gardener and baker. She crocheted and quilted blankets for many charitable causes and for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After retiring to live in Manchester, she enjoyed spending time in her park-like backyard with her flowers. She volunteered for many years at the Good Neighbor Home and also served on the board before becoming a resident there last year. Janet was also very active at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Janet is survived by seven of her eight children: Pat (Elena Vega) Westhoff, of Columbia, Mo., Judi (Norbert) Kaut, of Des Moines, Randy (Taunya) Westhoff, of Alexander, Marty (Lauri) Westhoff, of Earlville, Cathy Westhoff, of Manchester, Tami (Gary) Jones, of Waterloo and Jon (Janie) Westhoff, of Waterloo. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Mike (Kari) Yauk, of Fayette; 24 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry (Jeanine) Koch, of Dyersville and Kenny (Diane) Koch, of Petersburg; her sister Carol Cole, of Ryan; sisters-in-law Kathy Koch, of Worthington, Grace (Roger) Hermsen, of Manchester, Del (Ed) McFadden, of Reedsburg, Wis., Mary (Richard) Bixby, of Marion and Carol (Bill) Noble of Kona, Hawaii; and brothers-in law, Floyd (Betty) Westhoff, of Guttenberg and Mark (Joyce) Westhoff, of Petersburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 2017; her daughter, Trisha Yauk in 2008; her parents; Walter’s parents, Henrietta and Aloysius Westhoff; her brothers, Bob Koch and Steve Koch; and her brother-in-law, Jim Cole.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.