Stanley John WESTERGARD

WESTERGARD, GOTTSCH, PIERCE, NICOL, MAHER, DAVID

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/18/2009 at 11:22:55

Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA)
January 18, 2005

Stanley John Westergard, 52, of Vinton, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, in Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, following a stroke. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vinton, by the Rev. Mark Urlaub. Graveside services: 1 p.m. Thursday, Valley View Cemetery, Graettinger. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home, Vinton.

Stan was born Jan. 16, 1953, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He grew up on a farm west of Graettinger, graduated from Graettinger High School and was elected to the office of State FFA Reporter. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agriculture education and taught high school vocational ag in Charter Oak and Pocahontas. Stan married Rhonda L. Gottsch on Aug. 4, 1979, at the United Church in Westside. They made their home in Clarion, Iowa. Stan took a position with the Sandage Companies as a professional farm manager. In 1987, he began his insurance agency with State Farm in Clear Lake and then Vinton. Stan was a businessman of integrity, honesty and compassion. Stan was an active member of his church, enjoyed golf, coaching baseball, woodworking and stained glass projects. But most of all, he was a devoted husband and father, cherishing time spent with family.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; son, John M. of Boulder, Colo.; daughter, Kathryn L. of Vinton; parents, Donald P. and Delores M. (Pierce) Westergard of Graettinger; three sisters, Sheri (Randy) Nicol of Mount Vernon, Mary (Lee) Maher of Orlando, Fla., and Donna (Ron) David of Kansas City, Kan.; and brother, Brian (Molly) Westergard of Graettinger. Stan was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews, and was known for his gentle, caring ways. Stan will be missed by all who were blessed to know him. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.