Marianne Westenberg

Marianne (Nykamp) Westenberg, 90, entered her heavenly home on Monday, February 21, 2022. She was born in Murray County on January 18, 1932, to Gerrit and Gertie (Vos) Nykamp, their first child. She and her only sibling, Henry Nykamp, grew up on a farm north of Edgerton, Minnesota. At age 3½, she and Henry lost their father in a tragic farm accident. Their mother, Gertie, was then helped by her parents and eight younger siblings who moved in with them, joining their farming efforts. Marianne grew up in this large, close family. She attended country school and then graduated from the tenth grade at Edgerton Christian School. Marianne worked as a housemaid for families with young children and as a store clerk in the general store in Edgerton.

Marianne married Wesley Westenberg on February 21, 1952. They made their home on Wesley’s family farm south of Edgerton and raised four children there. They retired in 1992 and moved into the remodeled home of Marianne’s mother in Edgerton, where Marianne resided until her recent hospitalization.

Marianne’s life was marked by helping others and showing hospitality to those around her. She continued to stay close to her aunts and uncles over the years, often hosting them in her large farmhouse. She enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables and preserving meat, skills she certainly learned from her mother. Making guests feel welcome was her special gift. She always looked forward to preparing for company, whether for dinner or an extended stay. She was very active in her church life at First Reformed Church in Edgerton, always willing to help where she could. She was a member of the Joy Circle, helped with vacation Bible school and many other programs and events, and washed the church’s dishcloths and towels until a short time ago. She enjoyed church and community Bible study groups and knew her Bible well. She was a faithful member of the Edgebrook Auxiliary for many years and served on several community boards and committees in the area. Her hobbies included sewing and embroidering for her children and grandchildren, especially baby quilts. 

Marianne enjoyed traveling with her husband, Wes, especially when they retired, making many trips to Wisconsin, California, Oregon, and Washington. They enjoyed a tour of Alaska and visited the Netherlands with family. She loved to visit her children and grandchildren who lived out of state, as Wesley enjoyed driving across the country. She loved to laugh and demonstrated a joyful heart in the Lord, always viewing life as hopeful.

In recent years, Marianne regularly visited special friends and relatives who were shut-in, taking her gift of hospitality wherever it was needed. Marianne was steadfast in daily praying over each of her dearly loved family members, wherever life had taken them.

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley; her parents; her brother, Henry Nykamp; her sisters-in-law, Gertrude Westenberg and Lydia Westenberg; and her brother-in-law, Calvin Nyhof.

Marianne is survived by her children, Ivan Westenberg (Darla Van Surksum) of Edgerton, Leanne (Dave) Van Essen of Lebanon, Oregon, Wayne Westenberg (Diane Hofland) of Orange City, Iowa, and Gene Westenberg (Diane Schmidt) of Edgerton; her brother-in-law, Abe Westenberg; sisters-in-law, Barbara Nykamp and Kathy Nyhof; her 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Blessed be her memory.

Livestream link for the service https://youtu.be/dmmAwU9K8qQ 

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