Genevieve Westland

Genevieve “Gen” Westland, age 80, of Ayr, ND, died Wednesday, December 26, 2018, in Sanford Health on Broadway, Fargo, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Genevieve Dolores Maack was born July 17, 1938, at rural Erhard, MN, the daughter of Alvin and Dolores (Gripentrog) Maack.    She grew up near Edwards, MN, and attended country school, followed by high school at Pelican Rapids, MN, where she graduated in 1956.   Gen had worked at Fargo Clinic in Fargo as a receptionist. 

On May 16, 1959, Gen was united in marriage to James “Jim” Westland at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.  They farmed at Buffalo, ND, for two years before moving to Ayr, where they farmed until their retirement in 2002.  Jim died November 15, 2009.  Gen continued to live on the farm until her death.

Gen had been baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, MN.  She was a founding member of Trinity Lutheran Church at Ayr and had been a Sunday School teacher.  When sadly she had one of the votes to close the church at Ayr, membership was transferred to Martin’s Lutheran in Casselton.  She enjoyed gardening, quilting, and dancing. She also enjoyed reading and loved Danielle Steele books that she would then share with her daughters.    Gen loved to travel, including going to casinos! She enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially loved her granddaughters.   

Gen is survived by her son, Terrence, of Fargo; 2 daughters, Patricia (Tim LaPash) Westland, West Fargo, and Julie (Gregg Wicklund) Heller, Fargo; 2 granddaughters, Kayleen Westland and Samantha Heller; 2 sisters, Vicky (Arlie) Kort, Fergus Falls, MN, JoAnn (Don) Snyder, Dent, MN; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Heidt, Fargo; and many nieces and nephews.   Also by her close friend and companion, James Marschke, Ayr. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter, her parents, and one brother Ralph Maack. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, 820 4th St N, Fargo, ND 58102

Visitation:   5pm-7pm Thursday, January 3, 2019, with a Prayer Service held at 7pm, all in West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

Funeral Service: 11:00am on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton, ND.

Burial:  Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center  

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Genevieve Westland, please visit our floral store.