Barbara Jean Westerhoff

Barbara Jean Westerhoff passed away, after a short but serious illness, on November 26. Barbara was born on January 6, 1930, in Malvern, Iowa, to Bill and Vanche Chamberlain, the second of two children. Her older brother, Robert, passed away from rheumatic fever when she was only 8 years old. The family moved to Glendale, California, when Barbara was a teenager, and she graduated from Glendale High School. She missed Iowa and returned after graduation, and went on to marry John Imber, a WWII vet who was working in the Malvern Post Office. They had one daughter. John was recalled to active duty in Korea in 1951, and was killed in action that same year. Two years later Barbara married Don Westerhoff, a Nebraska native, and they moved back to California. In 1954, Barbara and Don bought their first and only home near El Dorado Park, in Long Beach, where they had three sons. Barbara was a stay at home mother until her youngest was nine years old. She became the secretary of Christ Lutheran Church of Long Beach, where she officially served for 27 years, and was the unofficial church historian forever after that. Barbara loved the Lord, her family, her friends, and her home. She bowled regularly up until a few years ago, and has sewn hundreds of quilts for the underprivileged with the Christ Lutheran Church Covergirls over many years. She was a happy person who really enjoyed people. She was busy loving life when she became sick and was taken from us on Thanksgiving morning, November 26. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her first husband, and her son, Craig Westerhoff. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Don, her daughter, Sharon Lahr (Morrie) of Cypress, her sons Robert Westerhoff (Kaarn) of Murphys, CA, and Bill Westerhoff of Kihei, Maui, and her two stepdaughters, Sydne Murua and Barbara Lindsey, both of Chico, CA. She was full of love and pride for her 10 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. We will miss her forever. We love you, Mom! A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 26, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at Christ Lutheran Church, 6500 Stearns St. Long Beach, CA 90815. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church Covergirls, or ELCA Global Church Sponsorship (on the memo line: Allison Westerhoff GAS 2017) PO Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764, or to the charity of your choice.