Irvin and Mary Westlund

Westlund, Irvin and Mary Mary Virginia Westlund, 90, died peacefully in Comfort Care at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. She had the assurance of eternal life through her faith in Jesus Christ. Mary was born on June 1, 1923 in White Bear Lake, MN to Sidney Michaud and Mary Ann (Fleming) Michaud. She graduated from White Bear Lake High School and on November 28, 1942 married Irvin Westlund at the Church of St. Mary in White Bear Lake. Mary and Irvin shared 71 years of marriage and passed away within four days of each other. Her greatest joy was building a warm and loving home with her husband, Irvin, and their three daughters. She also had a gift of hospitality for her family and friends and was a wonderful cook and an accomplished bridge player. Mary also enjoyed an active life of walking, tennis, swimming, waterskiing, and in later years, golf. Mary and Irv enjoyed 26 years of retirement in Florida and spent their summers throughout their marriage at their cabin at Round Lake in northern MN which Irv had built in 1938. Mary and Irv lived the last six years of their life at Waverly Gardens Presbyterian Home, close to their family. During these years she and Irv were part of the caring companion program for Alzheimer’s patients and their caring spouse. Mary was Irv’s care giver and greatest advocate. Mary is loved and will be dearly missed by her surviving family: her daughter, Sydney Wood, her daughter, Susan (Michael) O’Leary, one brother, Edward (Joan) Michaud and one sister, Geraldine Doyle. She has eight loving grandchildren: Steven Westling, Jennifer Westling, Aaron (Karen) Schwaab, Amber Schwaab Grundman, Colleen (Dan) Sullivan, Sean (Jamie) O’Leary, Kevin (Stephanie) O’Leary, Caitlin O’Leary, thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Nancy Schwaab and by one brother, David Michaud. Irvin H. Westlund, 97, passed away peacefully to the waiting arms of his Savior Jesus Christ, on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Waverly Gardens Presbyterian Home in North Oaks, MN. This was only four days after the death of his beloved wife, Mary. They had been married for 71 years. Irvin was born on September 3, 1916 in St. Paul, MN to Emil Westlund and Sophia (Kindahl) Westlund. He graduated from Washington High School, St. Paul and married Mary Michaud on November 28, 1942 at the Church of St. Mary in White Bear Lake. Irv served in the United States Navy during WWII and was always patriotic and proud to fly the American flag. Irv worked at 3M in the quality control laboratories until his retirement in 1981. Irv and Mary spent 26 years in Florida following retirement and were very active in their Highland Lakes, Palm Harbor community. He enjoyed golf and was a talented designer and builder. His pride and joy was the log cabin he built on Round Lake in northern MN and the wonderful times spent there with his beloved wife, three daughters, and in later years with his grandchildren. Irvin is survived by his daughter, Sydney Wood, and his daughter, Susan (Michael) O’Leary. He has eight cherished grandchildren: Steven Westling, Jennifer Westling, Aaron (Karen) Schwaab, Amber Schwaab Grundman, Colleen (Dan) Sullivan, Sean (Jamie) O’Leary, Kevin (Stephanie) O’Leary, and Caitlin O’Leary. There are thirteen great-grandchildren who lovingly called him “pops” and many nieces and nephews. Irvin was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, his beloved daughter, Nancy Schwaab, four sisters: Lola Shreiner, Marjorie Szalapski, Virginia Schroeder, and Patricia Brown, and three brothers: Harold, Warren and Jack. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Monday, October 21, 2013 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Visitation 1-4 PM Sunday at Mueller Lake Mortuary, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue and also one hour prior to the time of the Mass at church on Monday. Private family interment Tuesday at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials may be designated to Waverly Gardens Presbyterian Home, 5919 Centerville Road, North Oaks, MN.