Bernard Westphal

Mankato Mortuary 1001 North Riverfront Drive Mankato, MN 56001 507-388-2202 Bernard L. Westphal, 79, of rural St. Clair, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015, from multiple medical conditions at Pathstone Living - Hospice in Mankato, MN. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Clair, MN, with Rev. Del Begalka officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the Mankato Mortuary, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, St. Clair. Bernard Louis Westphal was born on December 31, 1935, in Mankato, MN, to August and Lena (Silkey) Westphal. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Clair, where he received his Christian Education and later served as a church elder for 30 years. Bernie attended country school in McPherson Township and graduated from St. Clair High School in 1953. On September 4, 1960, Bernie married Myrtle Krause at St. John's Lutheran Church, Willow Creek, rural Vernon Center, MN. They were blessed with four sons, Michael, Douglas, Donald, and Dale. Bernie was proud to be an "American Farmer," working alongside his father, August, his Uncle Otto and later took over the acreage from his Uncles Jack and Pete. When unable to continue the farming operation because of health issues he was happy to turn it over to his son, Dale. He also worked at the Year Around Cab Company in Mankato. Over the years Bernie served on the Blue Earth County ASCS Committee, Blue Earth County Variance Committee, the Blue Earth County Sheriff Advisory Board and the St. Clair Community Education Board. He was also a director for the Blue Earth County Township Association. He was the dedicated Clerk for McPherson Township Board for 50 years retiring on January 14, 2015. Bernie was fortunate to receive a heart transplant on April 4, 1992, being just the 34th successful transplant done at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. He was the longest survivor from the program at the time of his death. The family will be forever grateful to the donor family for the extra 23 years of life he had to share with loved ones (a special thanks to all donors). Bernie enjoyed old time music, reminiscing about yesteryear, coffee with his friends at the Pemberton Elevator, playing cards, and most of all time spent with his grandchildren, family, and friends. Bernie is survived by his wife, Myrtle; sons, Michael (Marilyn), of Owatonna, and their sons, Joshua (fiancé, Kim Stanek) and Aaron; Douglas (Linda), of St. Clair, and their children, Thomas and Laura; Donald (Beth), of North Mankato, and their children, Eric and Megan; and Dale, of rural St. Clair; his Godmother and Aunt Frieda Westphal, of Mankato; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Mavis Rosin and Arlene Carlson. His family extends a heartfelt thank you to the Heart Transplant Team at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Dr. Roger Crouse, MD, and Nurse Karen, Mayo Health Systems, Mankato, Pathstone Living, and Hospice Staff, Mankato and to family and friends for all the love and support over the years.