Phyllis "Philly" Westerlin

1934 - 2025

Phyllis "Philly" Westerlin

May 23, 1934 - October 9, 2025

Phyllis Renee "Philly" Westerlin, 91 years of age, entered eternal rest on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Fallbrook Assisted Living in Lincoln, Neb.

Phyllis was born in Holdrege, Neb., on May 23, 1934, the first of four children born to Herbert Daniel and Thelma Fay (Marshall) Ostgren. She grew up on the family farm north of Holdrege, where she attended the nearby School District #30 Elementary School and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1951.

Phyllis married Dennis Westerlin on February 17, 1962. The two celebrated their 50th anniversary shortly before his passing in November 2012.

For twelve years, Phyllis worked as a secretary for Palmer Brothers Granite Company. Beginning in 1969, she and Dennis worked together as managers of the Holdrege Airport for several years.

Phyllis and Dennis would farm in the Holdrege area until their retirement in 1993. During this time, the couple moved to Tucson, Ariz., and continued to spend time camping, fishing, following trapshoots, and visiting friends across the continent in their motorhome.

Phyllis was a 60-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege and an affiliate member of the Tortolita Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz.

A lover of animals, Phyllis adored her poodles throughout the years– Sugar Bear, Buffy, and Dolly– and would always be eager to care for the pets of her neighbors, friends, and family. Phyllis enjoyed sewing and became an excellent seamstress over the years, crafting clothes, quilts, and stuffed animals for loved ones. Phyllis' cooking skills were exceptional; she was known for hosting wonderful dinner parties for all her neighbors in Tucson.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Thelma Ostgren; her husband, Dennis Westerlin; her brothers, Myrl and Jim Ostgren; her step-son, Dana Westerlin; her nephew, Ripley Carlson; and her great-niece, Ashlyn Ostgren.

Phyllis leaves to celebrate her life: her sister, Shari Carlson of Lincoln, Neb.; her sisters-in-law, Patty Ostgren of Linn Valley, Neb., and Deanna Ostgren of Holdrege, Neb.; her step-daughter, Debra Westerlin of Seattle, Wash.; her nieces and nephews, Donald Ostgren (Wendy), Dennis Ostgren (Diane), Nancy Nelson (Mike), all of Holdrege, Neb., Kirk Ostgren (Cynthy) and Chad Ostgren (Kate) of Leavenworth, Kan., Kim Norwood (Randy) of Hutchinson, Kan., Scott Hahne (Anna) of Stockholm, Sweden, Danna Wolford (Steve) of Hastings, Neb., JoDee West of Lincoln, Neb., and Julie Chapin (Dean) of Rogers, Ark.; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, and treasured friends.

There will be no visitation the evening prior to the service.

Funeral service will be held Friday, October 17, 2025, 1 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 1103 Sheridan St, Holdrege, Neb., with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be sent to Holdrege Animal Rescue: PO Box 811, Holdrege, NE, 68949

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home

Holdrege, Neb.

308-995-4114