November 1, 1926 – March 30, 2022

A memorial service for Abram Westenberg, 95, was held Monday, April 4, 2022, at Bethel Reformed Church, Leota. Adam Ryswyk was the officiant and the pianist was Mindy Walters. The congregation sang When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder and It Is Well With My Soul. Casket bearers were Todd Fraser, Jenny Otter, Adam Ryswyk, Trent Ryswyk, Mindy Walters, Abby Naumann, and Paul Metz. Interment was in Leota Community Cemetery, Leota, Minn.

Abram Westenberg was born on November 1, 1926, to George and Alice (Eernisse) Westenberg.  He spent his childhood years on a farm east of Edgerton with one brother, Wes, and 2 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 38 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 37 in 1989.  They had 7 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Three great-grandchildren already reside in heaven!

To carry on Abe’s legacy are 2 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, and Trent (Kelsey) Ryswyk; and 16 great-grandchildren.  He is also remembered by his sister Kathy Nyhof; and by 2 in-laws, Gerrit Kroontje, Marlene Hofkamp.

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