Obituary of Paul Elmer Westmark

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Paul E. Westmark, 77, of Dyersville died Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Manor Care in Dubuque. Friends may call from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014, at the Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 4:00 p.m. and an American Legion Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Paul was born September 12, 1936, in Dyersville the son of Cleo and Loretta (Kluesner) Westmark. He graduated from Xavier High School and attended the University of Iowa for a year and then a year at Bayless Business College. In 1956, he entered the US Air Force. His tours of duty overseas consisted of 4 tours of duty in the Far East including Korea, Japan, Viet Nam and Okinawa. He also served a tour in Germany and at several bases in the US. While he was in Japan, Paul met Toyoko Miki Hyodo who was working at the Base. They were married at the American Embassy in Tokyo on November 14, 1968. Paul retired from Lawry AF Base in 1978. He began working at the Department of the Interior doing the Geological Survey from 1978 - 1995. He and Miki retired to Dyersville in 1995. Paul was a brain tumor survivor since 1987. Paul is survived by his wife, Toyoko, a sister, Mary (Walter) Bockenstedt of Dubuque, a brother, Frederick Westmark of Cambodia, a nephew, Paul( Cathy) Bockenstedt of Eden Prairie, MN, a niece, Ann (Andy) Rettenmeier of Dubuque, a great niece, Lara Bockenstedt and great nephews, Daniel Bockenstedt and James and Peter Rettenmeier, two nephews in Japan, Takayoshi Hyodo and Yoshinori Horie, an uncle, Arthur Westmark of Dyersville, and a cousin, Judy Henke of Dyersville. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Helen Westmark, his nephew/Godchild, Daniel J. Bockenstedt and several in-laws in Japan. We would like to thank Dr. Caceras and nurses, Ann and Peggy, at Mercy Medical Center for the care and compassion given to Paul, and also to Angela with Hospice of Dubuque. Thank you also to the Nurses of Manor Care, especially Mike and Miranda.