Gordon Dale Westby

Gordon Dale Westby

February 11, 1935 – July 28, 2020

Gordon Dale Westby was born in Waukon, Iowa to parents Carl Westby and Rachel (Nash) Westby on February 11, 1935. He was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church. His father was a farmer but Gordon had other ideas. In January, 1954, he joined a group of 15 young men who called themselves Decorah’s Little Switzerland Squad. All of them signed up for the branches of the service they wanted to be in…Gordon chose the Marine Corps where he served as a tank mechanic. Later, he and his brother, Arden, took off for California. He met his wife, Peggy Whittaker, at Fruehauf Trailer Company where they both worked. His next and only job after that was for Latchford Glass Company (now Anchor Glass) where he was a sales rep. He loved that job so much he stayed with them for over 30 years, retiring at the age of 58.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy (Whittaker) Westby, daughter Lori (Westby) Alford, Lakewood, CA, and son Bill (Renee) Westby, Castaic, CA; grandsons, Brandon Westby and Darren Westby, Long Beach, CA, and Joseph (Amanda) Alford, Downey, CA; great-granddaughter, Alaina Alford, Downey, CA; sister Audrey Barth, Decorah, IA; sister-in-law Jackie Westby, Waukon, IA, sister-in-law Arlene Westby, Decorah, IA; brother-in-law Bill Radke, Wabasha, MN; brother-in-law Robert Denk, Decorah, IA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; Carl and Rachel (Nash) Westby; brothers Kenneth (Ruth) Westby, Arden (Jerri) Westby, Roger (Arlene) Westby, Lyle (Jackie) Westby; sisters Ethel (Wes) Brandt, Barb (Bill) Radke, Eunice (Bob) Denk; sister-in-law, Ruth (Kenneth) Westby, Jerri (Arden) Westby; and brothers-in-law Wes (Ethel) Brandt and Dale (Audrey) Barth.

Gordon and Peggy were married on November 27, 1959 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Lakewood, California, where they became members. Upon moving to Canyon Lake, California, they became members of Faith Lutheran Church in Menifee, California. Gordon loved the sport of golf and was a member of the Canyon Lake Men’s Golf Club, serving as Secretary for three years, and the Tuesday Work Group (TWG) for 20 years. He really enjoyed working on the golf course with the other volunteers, the donuts passed out and the parades where he got to drive the tractor with balloons tied to it. He was Senior Men’s Club Champion in 1999, Champion of the 2016 Over the Hill tournament and had the good fortune of making two holes-in-one.

Gordon also enjoyed driving the motor home and spending time in Iowa in the summer, where he got to visit and play more golf with his family. Being a member of the “Roadrunners” RV Club kept him busy traveling locally also. Gordon was a talented, hardworking man who built many projects throughout his life, including a huge entertainment center for the TV and a hutch for the dining room. He also did wood carving and carved some beautiful pieces. He did most of his own auto repairs; in fact, he and the grandsons have a tee shirt saying “If Grampy can’t fix it no one can.” After he was discharged from the Marines, he got his pilot’s license on the GI bill and had lots of fun with that.

Gordon tried to call all of his nieces and nephews during the Christmas season because he was truly interested in what was going on in their lives. His love for God and his family was what kept him going with all his health issues. He was a thoughtful and caring man who offered help, interest and enthusiasm to anyone he was with. With his beautiful white hair you could see him coming from far away. Gordon was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; his family and friends will miss him greatly.