Arlene Westby

Arlene Westby, age 88, of Decorah passed away peacefully Monday, May 24, 2021 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah surrounded by her family, joining her beloved husband, Roger, in Heaven on what would have been their 68th wedding anniversary. A private family service was held at Glenwood Lutheran Church, rural Decorah Saturday, May 29. Interment will be at Glenwood East Cemetery, rural Decorah at a later date.

Arlene Odella (Carlsborg) Westby was born February 5, 1933, the daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Skaim) Carlsborg in Allamakee County. Arlene was baptized at the home of her parents March 5, 1933. She attended country school and graduated from Waukon Senior High School May 20, 1952. After graduating from high school, Arlene worked at Central Junior High School in Winona, MN from 1952-1953.

Arlene married Roger Curtis Westby May 24, 1953 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church and to this union five children were born: Diane, Brenda, Karen, Brian and Renae. Roger and Arlene started farming together in 1955, buying their first farm in 1963. Arlene was involved in every aspect of the farming operation.

The years were filled with gardening, canning, lawn mowing, working in the field, and taking care of chickens and livestock, all while maintaining a welcoming and comfortable home for family, friends and neighbors. Arlene also worked at The Cow Palace in Decorah for many years and in the laundry department at Aase Haugen Home.

Arlene was known for her Norwegian baking, including lefse, krumkake and kringle, sharing her talent with her children but being the judge of the “good” piles and the “uff da” piles of lefse. She became a resident of Wellington Place in March 2013. Arlene enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, playing euchre and bingo, sewing, spending time with family, and feeding and watching hummingbirds. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. Arlene was a lifetime and devoted member of Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Arlene is survived by five children: Diane (Paul) Larsen of Belvidere, IL, Brenda (Dave) Broghamer of Decorah, Karen (David) Jones of Decorah, Brian (Karen) Westby of Decorah and Renae (Craig) Adam of Rossville; 11 grandchildren: Adam (Danyel) Larsen, Derek (Katherine) Larsen, Brigit (Brent) Storhoff, Jared (Sara) Broghamer, Kristy Tarwater, Sara (Trevor) Thomas, Ethan (fiancé Nicole) Jones, Conner (Shauna) Westby, Kaijsa (Zach) Albertson, Corey Adam and Emily Adam; 14 great-grandchildren, Colin and Eli Larsen, Brynn and Claire Storhoff, Miles and Margaux Broghamer, Kaden, Bryer and Emarie Tarwarter, Mason and Dylan Thomas, Stella Westby and baby boy Westby due in July, and Evelyn and Eloise Albertson; her brother, Lester (Alycia) Carlsborg; her sisters-in-law, Peggy Westby, Jackie Westby and Audrey Barth; her brothers-in-law, Robert Denk and William Radke; and numerous nieces and nephews and godchildren.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Lillian (Skaim) Carlsborg; her father- and mother-in-law, Carl and Rachel (Nash) Westby; an infant brother; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Kenneth (Ruth) Westby, Arden (Gerri) Westby, Lyle Westby, Gordon Westby, Ethel (Wesley) Brandt, Eunice Denk, Barbara Radke, Dale Barth and Jack Schissel; one nephew, Lowell Brandt; and her nieces, Judy Vickerman and Teresa Escalante.

Casketbearers were Arlene’s six grandsons, Adam Larsen, Derek Larsen, Conner Westby, Jared Broghamer, Corey Adam and Ethan Jones. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home of Decorah.