Obituary of Merle Westover

Merle Robert Westover, 62, of Cambridge passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. He was born December 2, 1945 in Pipestone, Minnesota to Robert and Arline (Thompson) Westover. He grew up in Egan, South Dakota where he attended school and graduated from Egan High School in 1965. After graduating, he worked at the Egan Farm Elevator. On November 12, 1966 he was united in marriage to Marlene Moller at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Flandreau, South Dakota. The couple made their home in St. Louis Park, MN for two years before moving to Coon Rapids. Merle began working for Arrow Tank in Edina in February of 1967. While in Coon Rapids their son Jon was born. The family later moved to the Goldenwood area of Cambridge as Merle continued at Arrow Tank in Cambridge. Merle enjoyed woodworking, fishing, doing yard work, and helping others. He loved to spend time at the cabin he built on Mille Lacs Lake. Merle was a hard worker and was very dedicated to his work. He did love to travel, once Marlene made the decision and took care of all the plans. The highlight was a trip they made to Norway with Jon and Marcia and the cruises they went on with close friends Denny and Donna Pearson. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Iver and Mary Thompson, Maude Westover and brother Kenneth Westover. Merle is survived by his wife Marlene of Cambridge, son Jon and wife Marcia Westover of Isanti, parents Robert & Arline Westover of Dell Rapids, SD, brothers Mark and wife Roxie Westover of Garretson, SD, Tom and wife Barb Westover of Egan, SD, Warren and wife Lisa Westover of Sioux Falls, SD, Terry and wife Tammy Westover of Dell Rapids, SD, Dale and wife Susan Westover of Dakota Dunes, SD, Todd and wife Jacqueline Westover of Garretson, SD, Rich and wife Kelley Westover of Colman, SD, sisters Barb and husband Jim Schenk of Barnesville, MN, Mary and husband Gordon Lee of Clear Lake, SD, Peggy and husband Shaun Bell of Harrisonville, MO, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. As an organ and tissue donor, the Westover family would like to acknowledge that Merle gave the most precious gift anyone could give, the gift to save lives of his fellow man.