Kenneth Westerlund

Kenneth E. Westerlund, 72, of Iron Mountain, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Iron Mountain. He was born August 20, 1940, in Stambaugh, son of the late Oscar and Tillie (Kamppi) Westerlund. Kenneth grew up in Iron River and graduated from Iron River High School with the Class of 1958. He excelled in athletics, playing football, basketball, and baseball. Kenneth went on to play semi-pro baseball for the Tigers organization as a shortstop. Kenneth served in the United States Navy from 1960 until 1970, at which time he was honorably discharged. After being discharged, he moved to Beloit, Ill., where he received his Bachelor degree in Accounting. He was employed as a Budget Analyst for the U.S. Government from 1973 to 1990. He moved back to Iron River in 1990 to care for his parents, later moved to Iron Mountain and most recently has been taking care of his sister, Corrine and Missy, the cat. He loved the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Kenneth is survived by two daughters, Deborah (Richard) Charlesworth, Forest Grove, Ore., and Tamara Smith, Taylorsville, Utah; one sister, Corrine Westerlund, Iron Mountain; four grandchildren, Geoff, Eric, Jennah, and Jacob; two great-grandchildren, Michael and Logan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Westerlund. Graveside services and interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River in the spring. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Westerlund, please visit our flower store.