Julia Westendorf

Julia M. Westendorf, age 91, of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 27 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Meire Grove.

Julia Mary Westendorf was born November 5, 1925 in Melrose, Minnesota, to Henry and Elizabeth (Hinnenkamp) Westendorf. She worked as the administrator for the Melrose Hospital from 1957 to 1993. She oversaw the new 28-bed hospital which opened April 9, 1959, and was built by the City of Melrose. In 1993, Julia was honored with the St. Mary's Distinguished Alumni Award. Julia volunteered her time at the Melrose Area Food Shelf; she was instrumental in its organization and operation, including the scheduling of volunteers.

Julia was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Daughters of Isabella Joan of Arc Circle of Melrose #568, Women's Catholic Order of Foresters, and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 101.

She is survived by her niece, Karen Westendorf, of Rochester.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sister, Erwin, Al, and Regina Westendorf; and sister-in-law, Arlene Westendorf.

Serving as casket bearers will be Art Westendorf, Ted Westendorf, Craig Schiffler, Dave Primus, Herman Hinnenkamp, and Willie Hinnenkamp. Cross bearer will be Stella Schiffler.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Melrose Area Food Shelf.