Ruth Vivian Westerberg

Ruth V. Westerberg, 84 of rural Leland, died Saturday, July 28, 2018 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, August 3, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 246 South Clark St., Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St., Forest City, Iowa 50436.

Burial will take place in Mt. Valley Luther Lutheran Cemetery, rural Leland, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church and Mayo Clinic Hospice.

Ruth Vivian Westerberg was born on June 29, 1934 at home on the family farm near Leland, Iowa, the daughter of Rudolph W. (Ral) and Antoinette (Carlson) Branstad. She attended school in Leland thru 8th grade and then Forest City High School graduating in 1952. She then attended the Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1955 with her diploma as an RN.

Ruth was married to her high school sweetheart, Ralph Westerberg, August 28, 1955 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Leland where she had been baptized, confirmed and married. She then started work at the Forest City Community Hospital where she worked until 1980 when health issues caused her to retire. She was very active at Immanuel Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, was a Stephen Minister, active in women’s Bible study, Circle where she lead many lessons, and was president of the Ladies’ Aide. She was a 4-H leader, a foster parent, and involved in many of her girls activities. She loved best to sew and read.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Ralph Westerberg of Leland; daughters, Deb (Lyle) Nelson,
Ruth Ann (David) Milbrandt, and Carol (David) Murken. She is also survived by eight grand children: Emily (Jay) Smith, Katie (Chad) Kremer, Renae (Adam) Romine, Derek (Beth) Murken, Kristine (Reece) Penning, Antoinette Murken, Mark Milbrandt, and Steven Milbrandt. Also survived by five great-grand children: Vivienne and Britta Smith, Annabelle and John Kremer, and Clayton Murken. Also a brother Dennis Branstad and sister-in-law Lois Ann Lindbloom and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Ardis Helvick, Margey Newell, Nita Mae Branstad and a brother Rollin (Bud) Branstad.