Bernita Westling

Bernita Irene was born on October 7, 1931, in Goldfield, Iowa the daughter of Alfred and Alma (Jacobsen) Rasmussen. She was baptized on October 11, 1931 at the Methodist Church in Hardy, Iowa. Bernita attended Country School Lake #5 until 1945 and on June 30, 1946 she was confirmed at the Lake Lutheran Church in Goldfield, Iowa. She graduated from Renwick High School in 1949 and furthered her education at Iowa State Teacher?s College. She received her Teaching Certificate in 1950 for Elementary Education. In 1950, Bernita started teaching 7th & 8th grade in Lanyon, Iowa and it was here that she met Robert Westling. The couple was married on August 4, 1951 at the Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage. Robert and Bernita bought a dairy farm in Kensington where they raised their family. During this time Bernita worked for the Kensington School as secretary and bookkeeper for thirty seven years. She also was a Library Aide for seven years. In June of 1989 Bernita received an award for her contribution to Education by Gov. Rudy Perpich. She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens and doing genealogy. Bernita was also a wonderful cook who was known for her lemon pies. Her greatest treasure was her children, grandchildren and her twelve foster children. Bernita was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Kensington and enjoyed being a delegate at the Synod Conventions. Mrs. Westling died on Friday, July 12, 2013. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert; sons: Myron of Kensington, Eugene (Cathy) of Riverdale, NY; daughters: Roberta (Bruce) Strom of Kensington, Brenda (Jerry) Austin of Clifton, CO; five grandchildren: Brian Scott Austin, Craig Matthew Austin, Theodore Gasteyer Westling, Lindsey Rose Strom, Alan Robert Strom, one step granddaughter, Tawnya Rae Stepaniak, brother, Dean Rasmussen; sisters: Ethel Campbell, Doris Jean Hanson. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, two brothers: Larry & Virgil Rasmussen; niece, Kimberly Rasmussen. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Kensington with Rev. Kathryn Rothman officiating. Burial was at the First Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net