Florence Mae Westphal

Florence Mae ("Flo") Westphal, age 94, died peacefully December 28, 2016 at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center in Candler, North Carolina. Florence was born to Vertice and Velma Addison in Montfort, Wisconsin, on March 10, 1922. With her sisters Arlene and Jean, she lived a happy, active life on the family's dairy farm in rural southwestern Wisconsin. She particularly liked riding her horse through the pastures and helping her dad with farm chores. After high school, she attended Platteville Teacher's College, where she met her future husband Louis in chemistry class. She went on to earn her degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin. On May 17, 1944, Flo and Lou were married at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, marking the beginning of Flo's life as a military wife. Lou and Flo travelled with the Air Force and raised their family of seven children in New York City, California, Washington, D.C., Texas, Bermuda, Japan, and Illinois. Flo was an accomplished seamstress who sewed many of the clothes for her children and grandchildren; she was also an excellent cook and baker. In 1974, Lou and Flo moved with their two daughters to Asheville, North Carolina. They loved Asheville, and felt that there was no better place to have landed for their retirement years. In Asheville, Flo was an active member and the first female Elder of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She cherished her friendships with her church family. Flo served her community by volunteering for several organizations. She sewed and curated many of the original costumes for ABCCM's "Return to Bethlehem" production and acted in the production every year 1986-2013. Flo participated in one of the first volunteer training programs for Mountain Area Hospice, and was a trained Rape Crisis Center advocate and American Red Cross volunteer. Flo was recognized by Governor Jim Hunt for her extensive volunteer efforts in her community. When Lou fell ill, Flo faithfully and expertly cared for him until his death in 2006. She then lived on her own at home until she moved to Pisgah Manor in 2014. Flo felt happy and secure at Pisgah Manor, and her family is most grateful to all of the staff who served her with tender loving care. Flo was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters and their husbands; and her in-laws Gertrude, Ruth, Lloyd, and Henry. She was also preceded by Lou, her beloved husband of 62 years, her sons Roger and Bruce (survived by partner Karen Jones of Seattle), and her daughter-in-law, Donna. She is survived by her son Mark of Carbondale, Illinois and his children Aaron and his wife Susan, Nate and his wife Katie, and Danny and his friend Eden Armstrong. Also her son Jim and his wife Joyce of Breese, Illinois and their children Matt and his wife Kristin, Jenny Bassler and her husband Chris, and Carrie and her friend Chris Lundeberg. Also, her son Jay and his wife Lydia of Newport Beach, California. Also, her daughter Betty Neal of Eagle, Colorado and her children Harrison and Jay. Also, Flo's daughter Ellie McCormac and her husband Doug of Asheville, and their children Rob and Claire. Flo is also survived by her grandchildren Stephen and Leslie Westphal. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Avery Westphal; Olivia, Elyse, and Bailey Bassler; and Max and Lydia Westphal; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Edward Westphal, Alvin Cook, Alvera Eckelberg, and Doris Matias, all of Wisconsin, and Carl (Carol) Westphal of Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Above all else, Flo loved her big, extended family and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Michael McFarland officiating. Interment will be in the church memorial garden. Her family will receive friends immediately following the Service. Memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 51 Wilburn Place, Asheville, NC 28806. Matthew 25:21 - "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."