September 7, 2011

Oscar Westlund

Funeral services for Oscar Westlund, 91, of Watford City, N.D., were at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City with Pastor Rob Favorite of the First Lutheran Church of Watford City officiating. Musical selections were provided by Marianne Nelson. Interment with Military Honors provided by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post #29 of Watford City and the National Guard were in the Schafer Cemetery, Watford City, under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Watford City. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Oscar A. Westlund was born on Aug. 31, 1919, at Schafer, N.D., the son of David and Elsie (Mathistad) Westlund. He completed grade school in Schafer after attending only part of seventh grade in Watford City Public School due to his mother’s illness at the time. Oscar’s schooling was delayed several times due to the need to help out at home. His formal schooling ended in his sophomore year by the call to military service in January of 1941, but he was able to delay entry until July of 1941. His basic training was done in Camp Roberts, Ft. Ord, Calif., and Ft. Lewis, Wash. By mid-November of 1941, Oscar was on the troop ship, Willard A. Holbrook, heading west over the Pacific. The troop ship stopped in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Philippines, Seeva, Fiji and then Brisbane, Australia. They stopped in Darwin, Australia, where Oscar and his unit spent six months. Darwin was destroyed by Japanese air attacks at this time. His unit traveled to Ballarat, Victoria, not far from Melbourne. Oscar’s unit went to Sydney and back to Brisbane for the second time in a year. It was here he was on detached service at the Army Postal Service distributing heavy Christmas mail in 1942. His unit moved to Rockhampton, which was the departure site from Australia in 1943. A small island, Kiriwina, in the Trobriand group was the next stop. It was here Oscar began as a member of the Medical Detachment of the 148th F.A. Bn. He served in Arawe, New Britain, Aitape, New Guinea, Hollandis, Dutch New Guinea, and Santa Maria, near Manila, Philippines. Oscar was honorably discharged on Aug. 16, 1945. After his discharge, Oscar worked for Montgomery Ward in Williston and then returned to the family farm. He also helped carry mail for his father until 1956. He operated the farm and ranch up until June of 2005 when he entered the Good Shepherd Home.
Oscar traveled to Australia in 1990, and he also traveled to Norway and Sweden in 1964, 1984, and 1991. He served as clerk and clerk/treasurer of Schafer Township for 24 years between 1966 and 1990. Oscar was an avid reader and he was up to date on history and current events. He loved his ranch and farm. They were his life.
Oscar died on Tuesday morning, Aug. 30, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City, N.D.
He is survived by his many friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David (1958) and Elsie (1959), and his brother, Edwin (1961).
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER