Services for Betty Devona Westrum

 

Betty Devona Westrum, 86, of Leonard, Minnesota died July 3, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Clearbrook, Minnesota. 

 

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Leonard, MN with Reverend Bob Kirchman officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.  Interment will be at the Norway Lake Cemetery near Leonard, MN.  The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.

 

Devona was born August 20, 1929 to Arvid and Betty Engdahl in Leonard, Minnesota. Devona attended Happy Hollow country school and graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1947. She attended Mayville Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota, to obtain her teaching license.

 

Devona married Lawrence Westrum November 21, 1951 in Clearbrook, Minnesota. Lawrence and Devona were married for 51 years until Lawrence’s passing in 2002. To this union five children were born; Robin, Larry, Leslie, Rebecca and Lee.

 

Devona taught country school for many years at the Westby School, Happy Hollow School, Angus School, Lake Itasca School, and a school near Fosston. She also taught at the school in Shevlin, MN. Devona later worked for many years as a teacher’s aid at the school in Clearbrook. After retiring from her job at the school, Devona worked part-time in the housekeeping department at the Good Samaritan Society in Clearbrook.

 

Devona was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Leonard, Our Savior’s WELCA and the American Legion Auxiliary.

 

Devona was a loving mother, wife, grandmother and sister.  She was a kind, compassionate and patient soul who always put the needs of others before her own.

 

Devona was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Lawrence Westrum, parents, Arvid and Betty Engdahl, two brothers: Wallace Engdahl and Norris (Ellen) Engdahl, and a sister, Gladys (Johnny) Melhus. 

 

She is survived by her five children, Robin (Douglas) Gunning of Prior Lake, MN, Larry (Marilee) Westrum of Leonard, MN, Leslie Westrum of Leonard, MN, Rebecca (David) Lehmann of Rosemount, MN and Lee (Jennifer) of Wadena, MN. Brother Don Engdahl of Leonard, MN, and Sister Edla Hoffert of Escondido, CA. Grandchildren Gretchan (Tony Nordlund) Gunning of Bemidji, MN, Jordan Westrum of Bemidji, MN, Calli (Pat) Lindgren of Thief River Falls, MN, Abby Westrum of Wadena, MN, Laura Lehmann of Rosemount, MN and Allison Westrum of Wadena. She is also survived by her four great-grandchildren. 

 

Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com