Helen Lou Westphal (Woods)

Helen Lou Westphal

Helen Lou Woods Westphal was born March 29, 1935, to Helen (Tanner) and Lewis Woods at home in Adair County Iowa. She and her husband have lived in Johnston, for the past four years and were formerly of Wiota. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 4, 2015, at age 79. She received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 9.

Helen Lou attended Lincoln Township country school for eight years and graduated from Anita High School in 1953. She attended Creston Junior College for 2 years and then received her BA degree in Elementary Education and English from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA.

Helen Lou married Arthur Westphal on August 7, 1955. The couple was married for 59 years. To this union two children were born, Brad and Leesa.

Helen Lou’s biggest passion in life was living to please her Lord and Savior.

Helen Lou also had a great love and devotion for working with children. She volunteered as a leader in various activities with her children, including scouts, 4-H and Bible Schools. Helen Lou taught school for 41 years, teaching grades kindergarten through third grade. She loved to teach children to read and took special pleasure in seeing children succeed. Helen Lou’s last 26 years of teaching were spent in Atlantic, Iowa.

She enjoyed nature, crafts, cooking, camping and being with her grandchildren. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband, Art. They were able to visit all 50 states.

Helen Lou will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Art; son, Brad (Linda) Westphal; daughter, Leesa Lou (Terry) Boston; grandchildren all living in the Des Moines area, Derek (Rachelle) Boston, Dylan (Lindsay) Boston, Terra Lou Boston, Adam Westphal and Aaron Westphal; great grandson, Jayson Arthur Boston; brother, Richard (Judy) Woods of Cedar Rapids; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Marjorie Westphal, Marjorie Mattson, Larry (Liz) Westphal; along with nieces, nephews and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Helen Woods, brothers-in-law Gerald Westphal and Clare Mattson and mother and father-in-law Bertha and Frank Westphal.

Visitation with the family present will be Wednesday, January 7, from 5-8 pm at Roland Funeral Home.
The memorial service will be Thursday, January 8, at 11:00 am, at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA with Mike Eells of the Atlantic Gospel Chapel, officiating.

Cremains will be buried at a later date in a private ceremony in Anita, IA.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be paid/directed to International Gideon Bible, Willowbrook Bible Camp in Des Moines and Immanuel Mission in Arizona.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Helen's family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Helen Lou Westphal
BORN
March 29, 1935
Adair County, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Johnston, Iowa
At the age of
79 years, 9 months, 6 days

MEMORIAL SERVICE
11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2015
Roland Funeral Service, Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Mike Eells
Atlantic Gospel Chapel, Atlantic, Iowa

PIANIST
Janet Freeman

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“My Savior I Love Thee, I Know Thou Art Mine” by the Congregation
“Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him” by the Congregation
“Because He Lives” sung by Julie Eells
“Serenaded by Angels” recorded by Kirk Talley

HONORARY BEARERS - GRANDCHILDREN
Derek Boston
Dylan Boston
Terra Lou Boston
Adam Westphal
Aaron Westphal

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Steve & Linda Havens
Lee & Jeanie Williams

LUNCHEON
Helen Lou’s family invites friends & relatives to join them in the
fellowship hall of the Atlantic Gospel Chapel for lunch,
immediately following the memorial service.

MEMORIALS
The family suggests that memorial contributions may be designated for
The Gideons International, Willowbrook Bible Camp in Des Moines, Iowa
and Immanuel Mission in Arizona.