A Mass of Christian Burial for Elizabeth Van Westen, age 91, of Lakefield, will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 30th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lakefield with Father Jonathan Fastnacht officiating. Burial will be at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery in Jackson.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Wednesday, November 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a Rosary Prayer Service at 7:00 PM, at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the Funeral Mass on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lakefield.

Elizabeth Lorraine Van Westen, was born on June 3, 1932, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Vachuska) Schlager, in Jackson, Minnesota. Bess attended grade school and high school in Jackson. On October 5, 1948, Bess was united in marriage to Douglas Van Westen at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Jackson. The marriage was blessed with eight children. Following their marriage, the couple farmed in Enterprise Township for 21 years, before moving to Sioux Valley Township in 1968.

Bess was a farm wife and a dedicated homemaker who raised her family and provided for them. She loved vegetable and flower gardening. She was always helping on the farm and had a special affection for her cats and dogs. She was a terrific cook and an avid reader. She especially enjoyed time looking after her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bess' health was declining and entered Colonial Manor Nursing Home in May 2023. On Sunday, November 26, 2023, she was called home to Heaven.

Left to cherish the memories of Elizabeth are her children, Patricia Steffen of Lakefield; John (Linda) Van Westen of Lakefield; Susan Heberle (Arnie Grote) of Worthington; Sara (Larry) Davis of Lonsdale; Joe (Janelle) Van Westen of Windom; and Paul (Karen) Van Westen of Jackson; twenty-six grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-children; sisters, Helen York of Stewartville and Frances Allen of Montrose; as well as many relatives and dear friends.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas; children, Linda Van Westen, and Thomas (Vickey) Van Westen; grandchildren, Lance Steffen and Matthew Van Westen; parents, Joseph and Josephine Schlager; siblings, Sonny Schlager, Milton Schlager, Sylvia Von Ohlen; and parents-in-law, Martin and Regina Van Westen.

Blessed be the memory of Elizabeth "Bess" Van Westen.