Charles "Chuck" Westphalen

***Chuck's slideshow and service tribute is available below.***

Charles “Chuck” Westphalen, 86, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away the afternoon of Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care with his wife, Marcia by his side.

He was born on the family farm north of Atlantic, Iowa, on June 29, 1938, the son of Ralph and Velma Christine (Esbeck) Westphalen. Even though life on the farm and his love of John Deere Tractors was only in his youth, it was always a big part of him. Chuck graduated from Atlantic High School in the Class of 1957. He remained friends with his classmates and looked forward to helping plan the reunions. Chuck’s heart for people was large and once you were his friend, you were his friend for life! Following graduation, Chuck and his brother, Ron joined the Iowa Army National Guard and they graduated from Basic Training from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. 

On December 9, 1961, in the middle of a good ol’ Iowa blizzard he was united in marriage to Marcia Nelson at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Following the wedding off they went to Columbia, South Carolina where he continued to serve in the National Guard and later returned home to Atlantic. The couple was blessed with one son, Bryan, whom they adored and loved supporting him in all his activities growing up. 

Through the years, Chuck worked at Coca Cola, International Harvester, Meader Distributing and A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., working as the Yard Supervisor until his retirement. 

During his retirement he looked forward to morning coffee with friends and found a passion in crafting garden benches, plants and eventually birdhouses. Countless hours and miles were spent retrieving old barn boards and looking for posts from auctions and yard sales to build them. He sold and donated his works of art to many in the Atlantic community, and was delighted to have gifted some to the Ann Wickman Center. 

While dating, Chuck and Marcia loved to roller skate and play cards and in recent years looked forward to bus trips, the one to Alaska being their favorite. Going out dancing with friends was always a part of their lives. They also took a lot of pride in the landscaping around their home, which was filled with flowers and garden art. They were honored to have been included on two garden walks and also recognized by the city for the beauty they had created. 

Chuck was very sentimental and his giving heart was always there with a helping hand for anyone in need. He had a great sense of humor and loved to play jokes and tease people, most recently the nurses at the care center, who loved him and encouraged him. He treasured the time he spent with his grandchildren whom he and Marcia referred to as their “Miracle Babies.”

 Chuck’s big smile, joyful spirit, determined and hardworking mindset, and caring nature will be deeply missed by his wife of 63 years, Marcia Westphalen (whom he lovingly called Marsh or Marty); son, Bryan Westphalen; daughter-in-law, Tammy Westphalen; grandchildren, Todd Anthony and Allyson Kay; brother, Ron Westphalen; and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Velma Westphalen; parents-in-law, Arley and Annabelle Nelson; sister-in-law, Mary Westphalen; niece, Shari Westphalen; cousin, Janice Conn; and many extended family and friends.

Open visitation, with no family present, will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, August 29th and from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Friday, August 30th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday at Roland Funeral Home. A prayer service, officiated by Pastor Lauri Boysen of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, will be held at the conclusion of visitation starting at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family has requested casual attire at all gatherings.

A private family burial will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in memory of Chuck and can be mailed to Roland Funeral Service, PO Box 129, Atlantic, Iowa 50022

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Charles’ family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.