Verlyn Westrum
Verlyn Westrum
Verlyn Westrum, 88, of Webster City, formerly of Stratford, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 6, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Stratford Lutheran Church in Stratford. Burial will be in the South Marion Cemetery, south of Stratford. Visitation will be Friday, June 10, 2022, from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the church. Foster Funeral & Cremation Center of Webster City has been entrusted with caring for Verlyn and his family.
Verlyn Ernest Westrum, son of Ernest and Hazel (Angstrom) Westrum was born on December 14, 1933 on the family farm in Marion Township. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1951. On October 5, 1952, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ann Hall at the South Marion Methodist Church. The couple farmed in the Stratford area.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy; children, LuAnn (Roger) Garvey of Webster City, Lorraine (Michael) Gatzke of Kingman, AZ, Gary (Cheryl) Westrum of Webster City, Becky (Tony) Crystal of Stratford; grandchildren, Deacon (Anne) Garvey, Brandon (Ann) Garvey, Aamon Garvey, Bryce (Aimee) Gatzke, Elyce (Brandon) Griffith, Aubree (Jared) Haberl, Austin (Emily) Westrum, Beau (Kristen) Crystal, Tasha (Brett Yates) Crystal, Trisha (Brock) Jacobson; 31 great-grandchildren; brother, Dale (Pat) Westrum of Stratford; sister-in-law, Sarah Westrum of Mesa, AZ and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters; Marjorie (Grant) Kallansrud, Betty (Maurice) Albrecht, and Janice (Ben) Young, and his brother, Norman Westrum.
Verlyn was a member of the Stratford Lutheran Church, Stratford Lions Club, a former member of the Stratford Community school board, and the Stratford Strutters. He enjoyed flying planes, building model airplanes, going to casinos, and reading.
Verlyn loved to bring joy into people’s lives. He did this in various ways such as being a cheerleader in high school and performing in skits and plays all his life. He loved to display his talent by mystifying his grandchildren with his magic tricks. He was a storyteller and could tell a good joke that would set the room laughing. He was a beloved school bus driver for the Stratford school district. He never met a stranger! Most of all, Verlyn loved his family. He was always there for them, and he made most people wish they could be a part of his family. His deep abiding love for Dorothy was there until the end as was his profound faith in the Lord. He will be missed by many.