Mary Ellen Westberg

Westberg Mary Ellen Westberg, 81, died March 26 in St. Paul. To the end, she was a graceful and gracious lady. Mary Ellen is preceded in death by Lyle J., her beloved husband of 45 years, and by her daughter, Mary Barbara. Mary Ellen Johnson was born in Duluth and is a graduate of the Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul. She served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant. Lyle and Mary Ellen raised their family in Richfield, Minn., later moved to Portland, Ore., and happily retired to Sun City West, Ariz. She read widely, made and kept wonderful friends and maintained beautiful and loving homes. In later years, her greatest joy came as Grammie Mell to her four granddaughters. To them, she leaves a legacy of accomplishment, perseverance and caring for others. Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters, Patricia Effenberger (and husband Don) of Maplewood and Sara Jane Westberg of Eagan. Granddaughters are Michelle McCombs of Minneapolis, Colleen Ferguson (and husband Brent) of San Diego, Laura Effenberger of New York City and Amy Effenberger of Maplewood. Mary Ellen also is survived by sister Nancy Schober (and husband Roger) of Duluth and by her dear friend Bernita Steffl of Phoenix, Ariz. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m. at PRESENTATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1725 Kennard St., Maplewood. Interment will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix. Memorials may be sent to the HealthEast Hospice Care program, (651) 232-4990. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of the Lyngblomsten Care Center for the loving care Mary Ellen received. Arrangements by Holcomb-Henry-Boom North Chapel, Shoreview, (651) 482-7606.

Published on March 28, 2003