Amy Elizabeth (Johnston) WESTRE

WESTRE, JOHNSTON, MOORE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2010 at 19:34:12

12 April 1887 -- 12 October 1927

Death of Mrs. Lewis Westre

The entire community mourns the death of Mrs. Lewis Westre, who passed away at 7:50 o'clock last Saturday evening, (Oct. 1, 1927) at her home southeast of Jewell. Mrs. Westre had been ill about two and a half years. She was operated on in June, 1925, for cancer of the breast with apparent improvement resulting. But an infection ultimately developed that caused her demise. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock at the home and at two o'clock at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell, the pastor, Rev. Peder Nordsletten, officiating. Those serving as pallbearers were selected by Mrs. Westre herself before her death: Chas. E. Glaman, Magnus Johnson, E. W. Knudson, M. H. Porter, A. McDonald, and John O. Larson. At the home Rev. Nordsletten and Mr. A. L. Fleenor sang two songs, and at the grave they sang another song, "We'll Never Say Goodbye in Heaven". At the service at the church Mrs. John O. L. Johnson sang "Den Store Hvide Flok"; Rev. Peder Nordsletten sang "Love Lifted Me", and Jesse Olson who was here from Chicago for the service, sang Mrs. Westre's favorite hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross." Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery at Jewell.

Amy Elizabeth Johnston, daughter of James & Elizabeth Johnston, was born at Washington, Conn., April 12, 1887. With her parents she moved in 1894 to Dows, Iowa, where she lived until her marriage. At Dows during her young womanhood she was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, where she served as church organist for many years and gave devoted service in Sunday school work. She was married at the parental home at Dows March 6, 1912, to Lewis Westre. Three children were born to this union; one son, Halvor James died in infancy. The husband and two children, Arthur and Ardis, survive her. She is also survived by a brother, Robert Johnston of Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, and a sister, Mrs. May Moore, of Alden, Iowa. She graduated from the Dows high school in 1905 and attended Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls. For seven years she taught school in and around Dows. She was a faithful member of Bethesda Lutheran Church at Jewell, having been confirmed by Rev. Norstad in August, 1915. Mrs. Westre possessed a gracious and kindly disposition and a noble Christian character that made her beloved by all who knew her. Her loss is deeply and sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends, whose heartfelt sympathy is extended to the sorrowing husband and children in their bereavement.

Jewell Record, Jewell, Iowa
October 6, 1927