Funeral services for Galen Westdal of Glenwood, formerly of Starbuck and Hancock will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 7, 2010  at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck. Reverend Sarah Taylor will be officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Minneota, Minnesota.

Galen Bjorgvin Westdal, son of Bjorgvin and Alice (Furgeson) Westdal, was born October 12, 1942 in Slayton, Minnesota, where he grew up and was baptized on December 14, 1942 at Slayton Lutheran Church by Reverend H. E. Everson.

On April 14, 1957, he was confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota, Minnesota by Pastor Natwick. Galen attended the Slayton Elementary thru the 4th grade before transferring to Minneota Elementary School. He later attended and graduated from Minneota High School.

While attending school, Galen belonged to the Conservation Club and he also worked at Finnegan’s Super Market. Following his schooling, Galen worked at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Minneapolis; the Windom Sports Center in Windom, MN and for the next 20 years, he was employed by Toro Manufacturing Company in Windom, where he belonged to the Toro Employees Club.

Following his retirement, Galen lived in the communities of Starbuck, Hancock, and Glenwood, where he benefited from the care he received from Prairie Community Services.

While living in Glenwood, Galen served on the Local Advisory Council of Pope County for Mental Health and Drop-In Center. He especially liked attending family birthday parties and “Fun Bunch” activities with friends.

Galen enjoyed going to movies, traveling, old cars and trains. He had a special interest in motors and engines, especially lawn mowers and threshing machines.

Galen died on Friday, January 1, 2010 at his residence at the Prairie Community Services Home in Glenwood, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 67 years.

He is survived by one brother: Lincoln (Joyce) Westdal of Camas, WA; two sisters: Fay (Virg) Amundson of Starbuck and Gwen (Gary) Pyles of LaJolla, CA as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew and godson: Kent Amundson.

Pallbearers for the service are: Bob Zielsdorf, Dave Amundson, Doug Reitan, Andrew Amundson, Jake Amundson and Brady Peterson. Honorary pallbearers are: Kurt Amundson, Kay Pakkala, Tim Pyles, Christine Moore, Julie Westdal and Louis Buysse. Shari Opdahl will serve as organist for the service with Vic Vatthauer serving as soloist. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.

To send condolences to the family, visit our website at www.starbuckfh.com and click on obituaries.