Obituary of Isabel Mildred Westhoff

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Isabel "Izzy" M. Westhoff, 90, of Dyersville, and formerly of Earlville, Iowa died Friday, March 26, 2010, at her residence. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with committal service at St. Francis Cemetery Chapel and burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Earlville. Rev. Phil Kruse will officiate. Isabel Osterhaus was born May 11, 1919, near Worthington, Iowa the daughter of Anton and Mary Ann "Anna" (Kramer) Osterhaus. On January 4, 1941, she married Ambrose Westhoff in Dyersville, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1975. Izzy and Ambrose made their home in Earlville for the majority of their married life. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted wife and homemaker, raising 8 children and helping with family business. Izzy worked at the Ertl Company for 17 years until retiring in 1986, though she continued to give tours. Surviving are 7 children: Dennis (Ginny) of Surprise, AZ, Stephen (Marie) of Sun Lakes, AZ, Lola Westhoff of St. Louis, MO, Paul (Joyce) of Pensacola, FL, Luann (Doug) Schrock of Murietta, CA, Amy (Bruce) Goldsmith and Donna (Jeff) Thomas, both of Earlville, IA, a daughter-in-law, Clare Westhoff of Florence, KY, 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, 2 sisters: Sylveria "Sis" Kramer and Anna Jane Mescher, both of Dyersville, 3 sisters-in-law: Sally Wegmann and Catherine Westhoff, both of Dyersville, IA and Mary Westhoff of Manchester, IA. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ambrose, her son, Luke, a grandson, Joshua Westhoff, 7 siblings: Betty Tauke, Julius, Irwin, Clarence "Clay", and Arthur Osterhaus, Alvina Krapfl and Viola Quint, and many in-laws from the Westhoff family. Memorials are preferred to Beckman High School, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville, St. Francis Xavier Basilica or to the Ellen Kennedy Living Center.