Abram Westenberg

   ABE WESTENBERG, age 95, of Leota, died Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton.  He was born on November 1, 1926, to George and Alice (Eernisee) Westenberg.  Abe spent his childhood years on a farm east of Edgerton with one brother, Wes, and two sisters, Gertrude and Kathy.  He attended school at Edgerton Public School.

   After graduating high school, he went into the military in 1945 and was stationed in Germany for the post war efforts and clean up.  He spent the rest of his life dedicated to the legion services locally.

   Upon returning home from Germany, he married Lydia Hofkamp on February 22, 1951.  They moved to a farm between Leota and Edgerton where they farmed together for thirty eight years until 1989, when they retired and moved to Leota.  Lydia died in 2009.  Abe lived in Leota until October 2020 when he moved to the Edgebrook Community Apartments, Assisted Living and full care unit where he died on March 30, 2022.

   Abe’s hobbies and interests over the years have been traveling, fishing, but most of all his woodworking. He served on numerous community and church boards.  Abe’s life included loyal dedication to his church in Leota, Bethel Reformed. His faith was lived out with thankfulness, appreciation, a generous spirit, and the ability to laugh at his mistakes.  He was a thinker and an intentional planner in his years of aging, being a great example to his family.

   Abe and Lydia had three children Arlinda, June, and Dawn.  Arlinda died from diabetes at the age of thirty seven in 1989.  They had seven grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Three great-grandchildren already reside in heaven! 

   To carry on Abe’s legacy are two daughters, June Metz, Minneapolis; and Dawn (Larry) Ryswyk, Leota; son-in-law, Bruce (Sharon) Fraser of Edgerton; Jenny (Jimmy) Otter, Todd Fraser, Abby (Dylan) Neumann, Paul Metz,  Mindy (Eric) Walters, Adam (Amber) Ryswyk, Trent (Kelsey) Ryswyk; and sixteen great-grandchildren.  He is also remembered by three in-laws, Gerrit Kroontje, Marlene Hofkamp, and Kathy Nyhof.

   Abe was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia; daughter, Arlinda Fraser; parents; siblings, Gertrude Westenberg and Wes Westenberg; in-laws, John Hofkamp, Harriet Kroontje, Marriane Westenberg, and Cal Nyhof; great-grandsons, Gavin Oye, Owen Ryswyk, and Emerson Ryswyk.

      Visitation will be from 3-5 pm Sunday at the Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. Funeral will be 10:30 am Monday at the Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. Burial with full military honors will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.

   Dingmann Funeral Home & The Leota Burial Association are in charge of arrangements.

      To live stream the funeral service please visit http://www.facebook.com/DingmannFH.

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