Zola Westphal, 93, of Fontanelle

Funeral Services: Will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. Pastor Steven Broers will officiate the service. The Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. 

Open Visitation: Will be held on Monday, February 8, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Monday, February 8, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 Memorials: Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. 

   Zola Dolores Zietlow Westphal was born to Ernest & Clara (Brown) Zietlow in Fontanelle, IA on December 23, 1927.  She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle and began playing the organ for her beloved church at the age of 14.

   She was valedictorian of her 1945 Fontanelle High School. After HS, her musical interests led her to Simpson College for 2 years to study music, however, love for her future husband of 73 years, brought her back to Fontanelle to marry Bruce Westphal on October 12, 1947.  

   Bruce and Zola first worked at her father's clothing store, The Toggery, until moving to a farm south of Fontanelle - without running water, indoor plumbing – and as Zola recalled – no telephone.   To their union were born 3 daughters – Nancy, Sherol & Celia. After 9 years, Bruce received an opportunity to farm north of Fontanelle until buying the original Westphal farm in 1966. They moved there in 1976 and celebrated this Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair in 2006.  Bruce continues to reside on his cherished farm.

   Zola was a lifelong active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  Because of her love of the Lord and her joy in serving him, she played the organ for 70+ years for church services, choir practices, weddings & funerals.  She also taught Vacation Bible School and was President of the Women of the Church.

   Outside of church, Zola was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Adair County Hospital Auxiliary, and also worked over 30 years figuring income taxes.

   Bruce and Zola participated in countless community events.  They especially enjoyed school events and in particular, basketball games. They loved their regular card playing group and also many sightseeing trips, creating many memories traveling with good friends & neighbors, Don & Helen Baudler.

   Zola’s love for her family was demonstrated by her caring actions - taking sandwiches & cookies to the hay crew out in the fields, or warm chocolate chip cookies and/or cinnamon rolls waiting for family/visitors to arrive, or the countless apple pies she’d lovingly bake for whatever occasion deserved one.  Most of all, a true sign of love was going on countless trips in a small airplane, because Bruce loved to fly.  

   She always enjoyed spending time with her mom & eventually 4 grandsons & great grandchildren.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest & Clara Zietlow, in-laws, Ralph & Lucy Westphal, their children - Charles & Carol Nielson, Calvin & Esther Hazen & Kenneth & Estelle Blazek and niece Janice Dickerson.

   She is survived by her husband, Bruce, daughters Nancy & her husband Jack Laird, Sherol Brown & Celia Westphal. Four grandsons - Brian Brown, John Laird, Dave Laird & Alex Barber and 3 great grandchildren, Hannah Bradly, Gavin Barber & Grace Barber.