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Harold Robert "Hal" Westerberg

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Harold Westerberg Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2003.

Westerberg Harold Robert "Hal" Westerberg, age 85, of Minneapolis, died Nov. 9 at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lou; daughters, Anne (Richard) Ellingson, Julie, and Mary; sons, Philipp and Paul (Laurie); grandson, Johnny; brothers, Joe and Tom; sister, Phyllis Stoehr; numerous nieces and nephews; and Tom and Peggy McNamee and family. Hal grew up in SE Mpls, the oldest of nine children. He attended St. Thomas College, and was a Corporal who fought at Omaha Beach and Normandy. Hal was a radio operator and first class gunner. After the war he found his niche with Cadillac-General Motors. His genuine friendliness made him a natural for a long career in sales. Hal was an avid golfer who shot a hole in one in 1978. He was an expert bridge player, put ketchup on everything he ate, and shined our shoes for Mass on Sunday. He did our taxes (only 3 out of 4 were audited) and cured our earaches with a puff of cigar smoke. He owned a pair of ruby slippers and yet never wished for a different life. See you on the 19th hole, Dad. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, 10 AM at the Church of the Incarnation, 38th and Pleasant Ave. S. Visitation one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment Fort Snelling Nat'l Cemetery. GILL BROTHERS 612-861-6088

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Recent Activity

December 4, 2003

Becky Burrichter posted to the memorial.

November 23, 2003

Patti Martini posted to the memorial.

November 21, 2003

Paul Hoffman posted to the memorial.

23 Entries

Becky Burrichter

December 4, 2003

Dear Anne and family:

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hal sounded like one hell of a guy. Anne used to ease the monotony of work with hilarious tales from the homestead. I always wanted to shake his hand. I will some day.

Patti Martini

November 23, 2003

Mrs. Westerberg, Mary, and family:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Westerberg/your dad. I have wonderful memories of him -- always outside, watering the lawn, like Diane said, and listening to the Twins games on the radio. I also remember his super clean cars that we weren't allowed to sit on or rub-up against (for fear of scratching them with our jeans). He had a wonderful smile always on his face, and seemed forever young. I had no idea that he was the same age as my dad -- he had to be decades younger!! Maybe it was all the golf and baseball. And I didn't ever know of his military experience. What a multi-dimensional man.

You are in my prayers.

-- Patti Martini Kremer

Paul Hoffman

November 21, 2003

Indeed, one of the "greatest generation". May perpetual light shine upon him.

lisa wilson

November 19, 2003

A poem to mark the passing of a beloved person. May you all have peace.

Lisa (an old friend of Paul's)

Stand on the hightest pavement of the stair-

Lean on a garden urn-

Weave, weave the sunlight in your hair-

Clasp your flowers to you with a pained surprise-

Fling them to the ground and turn

With a fugitive resentment in your eyes:

But weave, weave the sunlight in your hair.

So I would have had him leave,

So i would have had her stand and grieve,

So he would have left

As the soul leaves the body torn and bruised,

As the mind deserts the body it has used.

I should find

Some way incomparibly light and deft,

Some way we both should understand,

Simple and faithless as a smile and shake of the hand.

She turned away, but with the autumn weather

Compelled my imagination many days,

Many days and many hours:

Her hair over her arms and her arms full of flowers.

And I wonder how they shound have been together!

I should have lost a gesture and a pose,

Sometimes these cognitions still amaze

The troubled midnight and the noon's respose.

TS Eliot

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Ana Brito

November 19, 2003

Dear Mrs. Westerberg and family,

My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Devlan O'Connor

November 18, 2003

To Mr. Westerberg's family and friends:

Please accept the condolences of a stranger. I only knew of Mr. Westerberg through Paul's music and the stories he would sometimes tell during concerts—of a a brave soldier who became a loved and respected father and grandfather. Mr. Westerberg seemed to be such a wise, warm, and funny man. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Warmest Regards,

Andria N

November 18, 2003

Hal, thanks for the talent you brought us through your children. Peace be with you now.

Diane Martini

November 18, 2003

Dear Mrs. Westerberg and family -

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Westerberg. We Martini's have very fond memories of him - taking us to Twin's games, watering the grass (or was it the sidewalk?)while smoking a cigar... But, more than anything, we remember him as a good, kind man. I am so sorry for you all. Please know that you are in our thoughts. - Diane (Martini) Richard and family.

JOJO BATIN

November 18, 2003

Paul and Family,

I am so very sorry for the departure of your father. May the Lord always be with him in eternity.

Asher Simon

November 17, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of loss. may love carry you all through these hard times. best wishes

David Halingstad

November 17, 2003

Rest in Peace Harold. Thank you for your service to this country. Thank you for the gift you gave to me. God bless, comfort and protect your family.

Jen K

November 17, 2003

My thoughts are with your family - you keep his spirit going, he was a wonderful man who gave much to many he never even knew.

Stephen O'Donnell

November 17, 2003

My prayers and thoughts are with the Westerbergs at this most difficult time. May God bless you and keep you.

Jeff

November 17, 2003

I was saddened to learn of Mr. Westerberg's passing. What a lovely, touching and funny obituary for a gentleman who gave so much and asked for so little. God Bless.

Mark Evans

November 16, 2003

Terribly sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with your family. Sounds like a wonderful man will be missed very much.

J. A.

November 16, 2003

To the Westerbergs,

So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man.

Peace be with you.

Jeff

Philip Hutto

November 15, 2003

I am sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Westerberg. I understand he was a good father and husband, as well as a brave soldier in the face of battle. He is in a better place and without pain.

Craig Halstead

November 15, 2003

To The Westerberg Family,

My deepest and heartfelt condolences during this sad time. Although our acquaintance may only exist vicariously through my affinity and reverence for Paul's music and it's continuing ability to make me feel alive and understood, I write this with a far more important sense of gratitude. I may have never met you, Mr. Harold Robert Westerberg, but through your son's art I learned about you and the sacrifice you were prepared to make serving our country at a time in your life when I am sure sense was the most elusive of all. I write this to honor your memory. May the dignity you earned in life afford the peace in rest you deserve.

Warmest Regards,

Craig Halstead

Mary B Johnson

November 12, 2003

Paul and Family,

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know I am thinking of you during this most difficult of times.

John Curtis Loy

November 12, 2003

My sincerest condolences to the entire Westerberg family. I had been reading accounts online of Paul helping his father out over the last few years or so. I am sorry to hear of his passing. God bless.

Jack Moselle

November 11, 2003

My sympathy to the Westerberg family, especially to brother Joel. Southeast Minnealpolis is just not the same with all of the Westerberg family living elsewhere.

Dan Long

November 11, 2003

I wish you all well at this time of need. Incarnation Parish has lost another one of its finest Angels. My mother bought every Cadillac she ever owned from your Dad what a class guy all my best Dan Long and the whole Long Family from 38th and Pleasant Ave.

Nancy Mardin

November 11, 2003

So sorry to hear about your loss but what a surprisingly wonderful send off and obituary for this man!!

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