Mary Westphal Obituary Mary Elizabeth (Berg) Westphal, age 99, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Brainerd. Mary was born on November 16, 1919 in Howard Lake, Minnesota, the daughter of William O. and Blanche (Varner) Berg. She was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Hermon Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Annandale. Mary graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1937 and Buffalo Teachers Training in 1938. She was a teacher in Wright County Schools for seven years when the love of her life, Wilfred A. Westphal, returned from overseas in World War II. They were united in marriage on March 31, 1945 at the church where Mary was confirmed. They were blessed with three sons William, Scott, and John. Minneapolis was their home until 1958 when they moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota when Will became the first civilian fire chief at the air base. This was their home for almost 40 years. Mary loved being involved there with her church. She taught Sunday school and Bible school for 25 years, served on the church council and church womens board, and was secretary of Church Women United. She delivered home meals for 17 years and served on the Valley Memorial Homes board. Being involved with her familys activities was dearly cherished by her. Mary and Will enjoyed traveling, golfing, square dancing, biking, and walking. In 1997, after they recovered from the flood, they moved to Baxter, Minnesota to be near family. It was sad to leave Grand Forks, but they came to love living here. Will and Mary celebrated 71 years of beautiful married life in March of 2016. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, William (Susan) of Iola, Wisconsin; Scott (Marilyn) of Marysville, Washington; and John (Jie) of Baxter, Minnesota; as well as her ten grandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca, Mara, Abby, Leia, Sera, Josh, Jordan, Jacob, Ryan and Ten great-grandchildren, and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Will in May of 2016; her parents; brother, John and sister, Betty Lehtola. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Pastor Nate Lundgren officiating. Visitation will begin the hour prior to services. Burial will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church. Arrangements with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. Funeral Service First Lutheran Church in Brainerd Friday, October 11, 2019 10:30 AM Email Details 424 South 8th Street Brainerd, MN 56401 Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Directions