Ann Westrum

Ann Geneva Westrum died June 8, 2009, bravely submitting to complications following a complex abdominal cancer surgery at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. She was born April 18, 1924, to Irving and Olga at home on the Arnquist family farm west of Hoffman, MN. When she was two years old the family moved to town where Ann spent a lifetime. Ann was baptized May 28, 1924, and confirmed June 25, 1939 in Lands Lutheran Church. In 1942 Ann graduated Valedictorian of Hoffman High. After attending business-college in Minneapolis, she returned home to the family Arnquist Hardware Store. Seeking something different, Ann in time returned to Minneapolis, graduated from the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology, and worked at the clinic in Hoffman for Dr. Cain. On May 27, 1950, Ann married the accomplished blacksmith, Arnold "Red" Westrum, and spent the next almost-59 years living large on the shores of Elk Lake. In 1951 she chose to stay home and raise three mostly-behaved sons. For about ten years this little band spent their summers renting out boats for hire, dug worms, trapped minnows and sold bait to instill that work ethic and learn a few of life's lessons. As soon as the youngest of her dock boys was far enough along in school, Ann returned to the work force. She was happily employed among the people of Hoffman for years at each job: a teachers' aide in Hoffman Public Schools, in clinic under Dr. Sampson, a clerk at Farmers State Bank. Though her career outside the home displayed a highly diverse aptitude and healthy roaming curiosity, throughout it Ann enjoyed a rock-solid devotion to family and friends. Ann was active at Messiah Lutheran, especially quilting and crafts of late, the American Legion Auxiliary, and as a volunteer delivering Meals-On-Wheels. She dutifully gave of herself, caring for family members in their final years. Ann loved life at the lake, flower gardening, bird watching, reading mystery and spy novels, Minnesota athletics, whist and traveling. Ann is survived by husband Arnold; sons Darrell (Paula), Rollin, and Larry (Vickie); six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and sister Mabel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irving and Olga, and brother Irving, Jr. Honorary urn bearers are grandchildren: Curtis Garritson, Melissa Poland, Delores Westrum, Jonathan Westrum, Sarah Larson, Maggie Snellings. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, at Messiah Lutheran Church, Hoffman, with visitation on, Sunday, June 14, at 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman.

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