Lenora M Westerbeck

A Funeral Service for Lenora M. Westerbeck will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Jason Bonnicksen officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Lenora Marjorie Westerbeck, 97 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Harlan County Health System in Alma.  She was born on November 25, 1926, at home on the family farm in rural Hildreth, Nebraska.  She was the third of six children born to Fred Jurgen and Hazel Elizah Adele (Riefesel) Warnken. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed in the St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hildreth.  Lenora received her primary education from District #54 Country School in Franklin County, and then attended Hildreth High School, graduating with the class of 1944.

Following her graduation, she moved to Holdrege and was employed for the next four years in the offices of Arnolf Swanson and Warner Lundeen, realty, and insurance; Dora Nelson, attorney; and at the Phelps County Creamery.

On September 26, 1948, she was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Westerbeck at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hildreth, and to this union three children were born: Darrel, Brian and Janis. When the couple was first married, they lived in Alma and later moved to Lenora's family farm near Hildreth. They were members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

When Bob's father passed away, the family moved back to Alma, where they owned and operated, The Westerbeck Construction Company. Lenora also worked at the Alma City Office, the Harlan County Courthouse as deputy assessor, Becton-Dickinson in Holdrege, and Haeker Furriers, and she was a dealer for Stanley Home Products, for over 30 years.

After their retirement, the couple enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, including Hawaii. The couple enjoyed taking cruises; to Alaska and a Disney Cruise, and to the Bahama's. Later, they spent many winters in Arizona, until Bob's health began to fail. Bob preceded her in death in July of 2018.
Lenora enjoyed painting with oil colors, sang with the Harlan County Barbershop women's group for 20 years, and enjoyed to go dancing. But above all, Lenora's family was her top priority. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and went to as many of their activities as she could.

She was a faithful member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Lutheran Church Women's organization. Her faith in God and her family were always very important to her.  She was also a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority for over 35 years.

Lenora designed and had their new house built in 1968, overlooking the Harlan County Lake.  During those years, she and her family enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping on the lake.

Besides her parents and husband; she was preceded in death by two sisters: Irene Hubert and her husband, Lester; and Darlene Johnson and husband, Dale; her brother, Herbert Warnken and his wife, Colleen; and two brothers-in-law, Franklin James; and Jack Augsburger.

Lenora leaves to celebrate her life; her sons: Darrel Westerbeck and his wife, Gwen; and Brian Westerbeck, all of Alma; her daughter, Janis Hogeland and her husband, Robert of Kearney, Nebraska; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Myrna Augsburger of Placerville, California; and Lorraine James of Lincoln, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: Donald Westerbeck and his wife, Ruth of Dallas, Texas; and Richard Westerbeck and his wife, Ruth of Mt. Vernon, Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Lenora's honor, and kindly suggested to the Peace Lutheran Church of Alma.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.