Gerald D. Westlund

Gerald D. “Jerry” Westlund, age 84, of Peoria, AZ, died on Monday, March 4, 2013, in Gardens of Sun City under the care of Hospice of the Valley.

Jerry was born Dec 25th, 1928 in Devil’s Lake, ND to Helmer and Esther Houvila Westlund with one sister, Erlys, MN. Graduated from high school in Devil’s Lake. He worked for the Dept of the Army at Camp Grafton, ND. Met his wife, Donna Clemens, in Fargo, married Aug. 24th, 1954 and moved to Mpls, MN.

They have four children, daughter, Lana Westlund, Mpls, MN; son, Jerry Crys Westlund, Ripon, CA, son, Rory Westlund, Clearwater, FL; daughter, Kelli Westlund, Phoenix, AZ. Have seven grandchildren, Eric Stephanie Schumann, Mpls, MN, Jamie Dan Henderson, Spokane, WA, Jill Schumann, Colorado Springs, CO, Kylie Jesse Johnson, Nashville, TN, Bryce Elizabeth Schumann, Colorado Springs, CO, Merrick Westlund and Reid Westlund, Clearwater, FL. There are several great grandchildren with more in the future.

As a mechanical engineer, he worked for Mpls. Honeywell and 3M, receiving accommodations from both companies. In 1975, he and his wife founded Westlund Engineering, Co. in Osseo, MN. “WECO” built automation machinery for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial companies. In 1985, they moved the company to Clearwater, Fl, where they stayed for 23 years until moving to Peoria, AZ in 2008.

Jerry liked stock car racing and in his early years, raced in many towns around North and South Dakota. He enjoyed sports, was a good bowler and played hockey well into his 40s. He also coached both sons in little league baseball and hockey.

He and his wife traveled all over the country in a motor home with their beloved dog, Doogie. He really loved Donna’s side of the family and attended every Fahrlander reunion possible since 1976.

We ask in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to The American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

Funeral: Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Visitation: Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.