Doyle S. Westby

Doyle S. Westby, 71, Rosholt, SD, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Elim Care Center in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Lutheran Church in rural Rosholt with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating. Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalists Eldon Westby and Doyle's great nieces and nephews.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Doyle's family and friends. Active pallbearers will be Ben Westby, Chadley Smith, Andrew Westby, James Westby, Marcus Westby, Lee Westby, Jordan Bertsch and Jonathon Westby.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. Visitation will continue Saturday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Doyle Stanley Westby was born to Cyril and Helen (Carlson) Westby on April 1, 1948, in Wheaton, MN, the eldest of five sons. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Lutheran Church, rural Rosholt. Doyle attended East Harmon Township Country School and transferred to Rosholt Elementary for seventh and eighth grade.

Doyle was afflicted with polio at the age of four, and was hospitalized at Sister Kenny Institute, Minneapolis, MN. The high fevers that he had, along with the polio, left lasting effects. He suffered from post-polio syndrome the later years of his life.

Doyle had his own septic tank pumping business for many years. He also lived and helped at home with the dairy, farming, and construction businesses the family operated.

When Helen and Cyril passed in 1995, Doyle made his home with his brother Rodney and family. He enjoyed the independence of having his own mobile home there. He also enjoyed watching his nephews and nieces at their sporting events and school events, and visiting his other brothers at their homes. As his mobility decreased, he moved to assisted living at the Rosholt Care Center in 2011. Eventually he needed the full services of the nursing home, and when that facility closed in 2016, he moved to Elim Care Center, Fargo, ND, near his youngest brother, Brent and family.

Doyle enjoyed music, planting flowers, and eating legendary amounts of pancakes with syrup (or basically syrup with pancakes!), milk by the quarts, Coca-Cola, and M&M's. Painting by numbers was a hobby he spent many hours doing and was very good at. He was so proud of selling one of his paintings, making him a professional artist. He was an active member of the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association and of St. Joseph, being the head usher most of his adult life. He liked to attend Bible studies with his very good friend Francis Hokanson.

The loss of his parents and the move away from Rosholt were very hard on Doyle. He often said, "I want to go home." Surrounded by his family he finally was able to go "Home." The memories we share and recount with much love and laughter will help to keep him with us. We rejoice in the wholeness he is experiencing now and the heavenly reunion he is having.

Doyle was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

He is survived by his brothers: Rodney (Lois) Westby of Rosholt, Eldon (Sherri) Westby of Bluffton, SC, Curt (Myrna) Westby of Lead, SD, and Brent (Ellen) Westby of Fargo, ND; ten nieces and nephews: Benjamin (Monica) Westby, Katie (Chadley) Smith, Andrew (Erin) Westby, Laura (Matthew) Cannon, James (Amy) Westby, Marcus Westby, Kayla (Matthew) Klein, Lee (Brittany) Westby, Jordan (Courtney) Bertsch, and Jonathon Westby; fifteen great nephews and nieces: Kiara, Ella and Addison Westby, Zachary, Khloe and Huntley Smith, Cade, Beckett and Turner Westby, Sydney Pearl Cannon, Brixton Westby, Braylon Oliphant, Desmond and Lincoln Klein and Joselyn Bertsch.