Marjorie Irene Westbeld

Marjorie Irene Westbeld age 94 of Lima Ohio left us on January 19, 2019.

Irene (Mom) as she was known by family and friends was born in Lyman, Nebraska on June 12 of 1924. Her small family including father Leslie Burns (a WW I veteran), mother Gladys (Bechtol) Burns, sister June and brother Bob lived on a new homestead for the first years of her life in eastern Wyoming only a few miles from where she was born. Eventually the homestead was given up due to her father’s illness and failing crops. Relocation back to the Midwest meant a significant lifestyle change for all. But all adapted settling into a very Midwest way of life, hardworking and family oriented. Mom graduated from Ada High School and soon was working alongside her Mother at Western Union Telegraph in Lima.

Mom married her soulmate Warren Westbeld (“Dad” a WW II veteran) in January 1948. They put together a life, bound by dedication to each other and grounded in a strong Midwest work ethic while raising four children (Michael, Karen, Rebecca, Debra). Hard work and perseverance was required to sustain a family in 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s Lima. They never wavered from the sacrifices and responsibility that a family requires.

The larger paternal and maternal families were always important to both of them and the get togethers on each side were always events of nonstop conversation, stories (ok gossip), card playing, and catching up on each other’s lives.

Mom and Dad enjoyed many common interests in their lives and approached them all with full enthusiasm. Square dancing, dancing to the Big Bands, traveling and camping (especially in the western states) and rock hounding all occupied a unique individual chapter to a life well lived. Mom was always sharp with recollections of these adventures telling stories (good and bad) with details that always made it seem as though it was just yesterday.

All of their experiences and interests brought to them a very special group of close friends that they both felt were of treasured importance and value. Didn’t matter what they were doing as long as the experience could be shared with their friends.

The bond of Mom and Dad’s relationship was the genesis of a growing family for which there were no boundaries to their love. No one was more proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In each she found unique qualities of character and personality. She always looked forward to their visits and phone calls and discovering what was important in their lives.

Later in their life Mom and Dad were fortunate to relocate to a new neighborhood that was their final home, blessed with loving and caring neighbors. Dad passed in August 2003. On her own after 55 years, Mom formed a new lifestyle that was individual to her new reality. Her neighbors were important to that adjustment. The family wants to thank all of her neighbors especially Karen and Buzz, Jan and Tom and Jerry and Bev, for their special attention to Mom and her safety and security. You are special people.

As the family of brothers and sisters began to diminish over the years, Mom developed stronger relationships with our Aunt Kathy, Uncle Larry, and Uncle Harry. They provided invaluable companionship and love that she cherished. They are special to all of us.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Warren, daughter and son-in-law Karen (Peter) Sawchuk, brother Robert (Lorraine) Burns and sister, June (Russell) Williams.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her son, Michael (Suzi McReynolds) Westbeld and daughters, Rebecca French and Debra (Joseph) Hauenstein. Grandchildren, Stacey (Greg) Whitt, Joshua (Lauren) French, Kirk Hauenstein, Mark Hauenstein, Scott (April) Oglesbee, Jeffrey (Rachael) Oglesbee and Zachary Sawchuk. Great-grandchildren, Morgan Whitt, Dylan Whitt, Jaxon French, Jasmine Rau, Griffin Hauenstein, Karter Oglesbee, Ryder Oglesbee, Isabella Oglesbee, Clara Oglesbee, Ayla Oglesbee, and Jacob Oglesbee.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at noon at Chamberlain Huckereide funeral home. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - noon prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at Gethsemani Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Arbor Day Foundation or West Ohio Food Bank.