Verda Nebeker Westenskow

Verda Nebeker Westenskow, 93, of La Grande, died Dec. 22. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Island City chapel, 11206 S. McAlister Road. Viewing and family visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, and Thursday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the LDS Island City chapel. Dedication of the grave will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Verda was born May 6, 1917, to Joseph Wiley and Annie Helen (Lindsay) Nebeker, in the small community of Mount Glen where she grew up and attended elementary school. Her father died when she was 3 years old. Her mother raised her family of eight children on the family farm in Mount Glen. She attended high school in

La Grande, graduating in 1934. She attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City.

Verda married her sweetheart, Alfred Westenskow, Feb. 20, 1935, in Walla Walla. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 20, 1939. They spent the majority of their married life in the Grande Ronde Valley where they raised their seven children.

Verda was a stay-at-home mom while helping her husband in a variety of businesses in the valley. She helped him in the Imbler Market, Al's Food Store, Ben Franklin Store, Roxy Theater and Westenskow Real Estate in Union and La Grande.

She later worked for the La Grande public schools in the school lunch program.

She loved to play the piano and organ, and for many years, served as a ward organist.

She is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Barbara Christensen of Scottsdale, Ariz., Ann and Bob Clemens of La Grande, Ramon and Carol Westenskow of La Grande, Joyce and Ron Nelson of Orem, Utah, Gordon and Cay Westenskow of Rexburg, Idaho, Beverly and Glen Parker of Provo, Utah, and Milan and Karen Westenskow of Benton City, Wash.; and one sister-in-law, Jeanne Nebeker of La Grande. Verda had 40 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren.

Verda was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred; her parents; and siblings, Alex Nebeker, Helen Zaugg, Ida Lyman, Gertie Hibbert, Vern Nebeker, Viola Barritt and Wiley Nebeker; one son-in-law, Doral Christensen; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to LDS Family History Center in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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