Ralph Westphalen

RALPH WESTPHALEN Ralph Westphalen, 92, longtime resident of north of Atlantic, died Saturday evening, March 7, 2009 at the Atlantic Nursing & Rehab Center in Atlantic, Iowa. Ralph was born the son of Julius and Grace Westphalen ten miles north of Atlantic, Iowa on November 14, 1916. Ralph was married to Velma Christina Esbeck in Maryville, Missouri on November 14, 1937. The couple farmed north of Atlantic where they raised two sons. They loved to dance, fish in Canada and travel ~ and took two very special trips to Hawaii. They celebrated 70 years of marriage.Farming was Ralph's life. He lived his entire life on the same farm until entering the Allen House with his wife in 2006. It will be remembered that he loved watching the Lawrence Welk Show every Saturday night and that he enjoyed family and friends and reminiscing the good old days until his passing. His survivors include his two sons, Chuck Westphalen and wife Marcia of Atlantic and Ronald Westphalen of Omaha, Nebraska; two grandsons, Bryan Westphalen and wife Tammy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rik Westphalen of Wellman, Iowa; two granddaughters, Kammi Pelant and husband Brian of Appleton, Wisconsin and Brenda Westphalen of Brooklyn, New York; a great granddaughter Shelby Lynn Pelant; and a special friend from the Allen House, Linda Guy of Atlantic, Iowa.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Velma; his granddaughter Shari Lynn Westphalen; and three sisters-in-law, Selma Esbeck, Leona Christensen and Beulah Hook.Funeral Information There will be open visitation through the week and the family will meet with relatives and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 on Wednesday evening, March 11 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Ralph's funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 12 at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Pastor Dennis Meyer and Pastor Sally Meyer will preside. The committal service will follow in the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.IN REMEMBRANCERalph WestphalenBorn ten miles north of Atlantic, Iowa ENTERED INTO RESTSaturday evening, March 7, 2009 at Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center Atlantic, Iowa AT THE AGE OF 92 years, 3 months and 23 days FUNERAL SERVICEEleven o"clock in the morning, Thursday, March 12, 2009Saint Paul"s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Dennis Meyer and Pastor Sally Meyer of Saint Paul"s Lutheran ChurchMUSICAL SELECTIONS"Just a Closer Walk with Thee&""How Great Thou Art&" by Pastor Dennis Meyer "Just Beyond the Sunset&" ~ CongregationKEYBOARDJan HighfillINTERMENTAtlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa LUNCHEONRalph"s family invites guests to join them at the Church Fellowship Hall for a luncheon following the committal service.CASKET BEARERS Ronald Templeman Dennis Templeman John Kilworth James Kilworth Norman Templeman Bryan Westphalen FLOWER COMMITTEEJim and Sheri ConnBryan and Linda GuyINTERMENTCommittal Service in the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, IowaFor area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions