VAN WESTEN, Raymond Leroy 1939-2009

VAN WESTEN, KRULL, CRAMER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/3/2009 at 10:38:04

Raymond Van Westen, age 69, of Sibley, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2009, at Sanford Regional Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota. Funeral services were held October 10, 2009, at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sibley with burial in the First Baptist Church Cemetery in rural George, Iowa.

Raymond “Ray” Leroy Van Westen was born on October 20, 1939, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. He was the son of Klaus and Grace (Krull) Van Westen. He lived his youth in rural George, Iowa, and attended a rural country school by Rock Rapids, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Carol Cramer of Worthington, Minnesota, on November 11, 1958, at the Church of Christ in Worthington.

They lived in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Sibley, Iowa, Rochester, Minnesota, Ames, Iowa, and in 1997, they moved back to Sibley, Iowa. He worked for Iowa Road Builders for 16 years, as a heavy equipment operator. He worked for Grimes Asphalt in Grimes, Iowa, for 10 years. He worked for Sathers Cookie Company in Round Lake, Minnesota, for one year, until he had to quit, due to health problems.

Ray enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was able, and playing pinochle. He enjoyed being outside, grilling, sitting on the deck, and watching the rabbits in the backyard. His dogs, Jessie and Pepper, were his chair-side companions and meant the world to him.

He especially enjoyed being with his family and watching the grandchildren play. He cherished all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always there to lend a helping hand and will forever be in their hearts.

Ray passed away on Friday, October 2, 2009, at the Sanford Regional Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife: Carol Van Westen of Sibley, IA; his children: Lorinda “Lory” and husband Laren Monson of Snohomish, WA, and their children: Lynrae and her children: Keyanna, Jacqueline, Imari; Loren, Laura, and Lynet; Lonny Van Westen of Sibley, IA; Mark and wife Angela Van Westen of Story City, IA, and their son: Halston; Ray and wife Nikki Van Westen of Sibley, IA, and their children: Tyra and Haliegh; two brothers: Russel Van Westen of Cherokee, IA, Albertus “Bert” and wife Ruth Van Westen of Luverne, MN; four sisters: Hilda and husband Kenneth Klaassen of George, IA, Betty Abuhl of Waterloo, IA, Inez “Toby” Rogers of Owatonna, MN, Shirley and husband Howard Hiekes of Mantorville, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents: Klaus and Grace (Krull) Van Westen; father-in-law: John Cramer and mother-in-law: Margaret Kruse; brother: Hilbert Van Westen and one infant brother; sister: Martha Doeden; infant daughter: Margaret Ann and infant son: Billie Joe.

In Loving Memory Of
Raymond Leroy Van Westen
Born: October 20, 1939
Passed Away: October 2, 2009
Age: 69 years, 11 months and 12 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Andringa Funeral Home, Sibley, Iowa

INTERMENT
First Baptist Church Cemetery
rural George, Iowa

(Andringa Funeral Home obituary)