Florence M. Westerman

Westerman Florence M., age 86, long time resident of Mpls. Florence was born in St. Paul, MN on December 18, 1916 as the 10th child of Mary (Heffron) Gallagher and John Gallagher. She married Robert Charles Westerman on September 3, 1938 at the Basilica in Mpls. After 11 years of apartment living at 18th & Lyndale and bringing 5 children into the world, the Westerman 7 found their way to 34th & Pleasant to what was described as a "mansion with a great yard for the children". The mansion was soon filled with another 3 making it the Westerman 10. As the house emptied with the growing up of the children, it filled up on weekends with family and grandchildren. As retirement neared, the remaing family moved to 61st & Xerxes. On July 18, 1974, Robert took his place with our Lord and Florence finished the job of raising the children. In the late `90s Florence moved to New London, MN where she resided until her death. Florence is survived by her children, James Michael (Mary Ann) & William (Nancy) of Richfield, Robert (Jean) and Mark (Teresa) of Atlanta, Kathy (Richard) Skinner of St. Paul and Peg (Terry) Peterson of New London-Spicer; 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen (Lolly) Colton of Mpls, Dorthea Hartzell and Jeanne Hartl of CA; brother, Dan Gallagher of OR and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Mary Jean and son, John; sisters, Marion Sense, Frances Penk, Genevieve Schultz, Margaret Sausen, Kathleen Schoenborn; brothers, Daniel Layton, Thomas, and John (Jack) Gallagher. Mass of Christian burial Tuesday, 10 am, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 51st & Zenith Av. S., Mpls. Visitation 9-10 am at the church only. Interment Lakewood. Memorials preferred to donor's choice. Enga-White-Gleason Funeral Home & Cremation Services. 612-827-5838

Published on July 20, 2003