Marvin “Marv” Wilbur Westphalen, age 87, of Sanborn, Iowa and formerly of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the Prairie View Home in Sanborn, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the Sheldon Eagles Club 411 Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa.
A Private Family Graveside Service will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa with Father Siby Punnoose officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
Online condolences may be made to the Family at www.vanderploegfunerals.com
MARVIN W. WESTPHALEN, the son of Wilbur Herman and Lorrayne Eunice (Trojohn) Westphalen was born on July 13, 1936 in Hartley, Iowa. He moved with his parents to Moneta, Iowa where attended school, moving with his parents again to Royal, Iowa Marv graduated from the Royal High School in 1955. He received a certificate for going all through high school without being tardy or absent. Guess what, he was tardy coming to get his certificate. Marv married Patricia Wright on April 22, 1957. He worked on several farms around Royal, Iowa for a few years and even spent time participating in Chuck Wagon races with cousins at the Clay County Fair. They then moved to Sheldon to work at the Big 4 Soybean Plant and later started driving for them as Land-O Lakes and AGP. He retired from driving in 1998 to spend time with Pat.
Marv will be remembered for his loving smile and his willingness to always help others, especially Trav, Putt and Doppy at harvest time.
Marvin was never a man of many words but would always have a witty comment to add to a conversation followed by a contagious giggle. His biggest joys in life were time spent with family camping at Green Acres, vacations to the Black Hills, grilling and having the best-looking lawn in town. Marv and Pat never missed a chance to entertain at the home or hit a dance floor passing this love onto their children. Patricia passed away in 2009 and he shared a few years with a loving companion, Mary Alice, not many can be lucky enough to have loved twice.
Marv moved to Fieldcrest in February of 2017 and loved his time spent there guarding the front door, playing cards, Bingo and maybe a word or two with friends. After old age finally got the best of him, he moved to Prairie View in Sanborn, Iowa, and the Lord called him home to be with Patricia, relatives and friends, who all passed away too soon.
Marv was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, the Sheldon Knights of Columbus Council 1564 and a past member of the Sheldon Prairie Queen Noon Kiwanis. His favorite pastime was having a cigar and listening to the conversations.
Left to cherish his memory is his children, Deb (Randy) Holz of Sheldon; Darwin (Laura) Westphalen of Sheldon; Brian (Jewel) Westphalen of Knoxville, Tennessee; Leigh (Rhett) Kenny of Hanford, California and Dan (Joan) Westphalen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; a sister, Donna Steffen of Emmetsburg, Iowa and a brother, Ricky (Joan) Westphalen of California and other in-laws, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pat; a sister, Darlene and 2 brothers, Kenny and Duane.
