Wilma M. Westphal

Wilma Westphal, age 79, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa, following a lingering illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 26, 2007, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church with Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Iowa. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Friday morning. Wilma Mathilda (Tibbals) Westphal was born June 2, 1928 to Harry and Gladys (Ihns) Tibbals on the family farm near Lime Springs, IA. Wilma graduated from Lime Springs High School in 1946 and received her teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA. She taught in Howard County country school until her marriage to Merton Westphal on January 14, 1950 at Cherry Grove, MN. They lived near Chester, Iowa, after they were married and moved to Burr Oak in 1953. In 1982, they moved to Decorah. Wilma enjoyed fishing, gardening, needlework and doing crossword puzzles. Wilma enjoyed family activities. She was a member of the Burr Oak Lutheran Church. Wilma’s survivors include her husband, Merton Westphal, Decorah, IA. Two sons: James (Becky) Westphal, Ankeny, IA and David (Wanda) Westphal, Decorah, IA. One daughter: Sandra (Larry) Schipper, Austinville, IA. Five grandchildren: Amanda (Mike) Brown, Nicole Westphal, Travis (Sara) Westphal, Heidi Schipper and Sarah Schipper. Three step-grandchildren: Scott (Becky) Schipper, Dan (Kolleen) Schipper and Melissa (Rick) Miller. Three great grandchildren: Peyton Brown, David Westphal and Justeen Schipper. Four step-grandchildren: Brent and Lisa Schipper, Kelsey and Danielle Miller. One sister: Eleanor Knode, LeRoy, MN. One brother: Roy (Marcella) Tibbals, Lime Springs, IA. One brother-in-law: Wendell (Karen) Westphal, Nora Springs, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Phyllis (Melvin) Ihns, Lincoln, IA and Jeanne Westphal, Austin, MN. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Gladys Tibbals. Two brothers-in-law: Roger and Floyd Westphal.