Frieda Johanna Westphal

Mankato Mortuary
1001 North Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Frieda Johanna Westphal, 103, died peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Pathstone Living, Mankato, MN.

Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2017, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Clair, MN, with Rev. Matthew C. Grunewald officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 5, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary, 1001 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, St. Clair, MN.

Frieda Johanna Hawker was born on October 24, 1913, the only daughter of William and Eliza (Birr) Hawker, in Mapleton, MN. Frieda was baptized in February of 1914 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mapleton, MN, by Pastor Paul Edsel. She was confirmed on April 29, 1928, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Clair, MN, by Rev. G. E. Fritzke. Frieda attended school in the St. Clair area receiving her eighth grade diploma from the Grammar Department in the St. Clair Consolidated School District in May 28, 1929. She married John E. Westphal on August 28, 1935, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Clair, MN, by Rev. G. E. Fritzke.

After her marriage, Frieda enjoyed helping her husband on the farm. In 1985, Frieda and John “Jack” were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Frieda continued living on the farm after Jack’s death. She was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Clair, MN, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid, taught Sunday School and helped with the Vacation Bible Schools. For many years she organized the funeral lunch serving committees and was well known for her popular “hot milk” cake. In 1996, she moved to Mankato and enjoyed volunteering until 2011. She volunteered at Immanuel St. Joseph’s (Mayo Clinic) Hospital, the MRCI Thrift Shop, Oaklawn Health Care Center, and the Salvation Army. Despite being in her 90’s, she enjoyed helping the “elderly people” play cards and bingo. In April 2011, after some health issues she moved to Pathstone Crossing and enjoyed her new home and many friends. She was a fan of the Minnesota Twins and was proud of her “Homer Hankies”. Frieda was a very caring, loving, and sociable individual. She belonged to several birthday and card clubs, and enjoyed dancing. She was a member of the St. Clair Friendship Club, the U-Need A Rest, and McPherson Monday Nighters Home Extension Clubs. In December 2016, she transferred to Pathstone Living.

Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, John on November 12, 1986; her parents; and brothers, Wilbur, Alvin, Harold, and Lyle. Frieda is survived by her caregivers, Darlene and David Terhurne of Mankato and Myrtle Westphal of Janesville, along with many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Ecumen Pathstone and Mayo Hospice for the tender loving care which was given to Frieda.