Eugene “Hoot” Westendorf

Published February 21, 2023 at 10:19 AM

Eugene “Hoot” Westendorf passed away at the age of 96 on February 17, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.

Memorial services for Eugene “Hoot” Westendorf age 96 of Platte, South Dakota, will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 10:30 AM at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Platte, SD. Inurnment will be at a later date in St Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Geddes, SD.

He was born to Fred and Regina (Ricken) Westendorf on February 3, 1927, on the family farm northeast of Geddes, South Dakota. He was the twelfth of fourteen children.

Hoot attended St. Ann’s School and graduated from Geddes Public School. After graduating high school, he farmed with his father until he joined the Army in 1951. He attended tank turret armorer school and after graduation was stationed in Japan where he taught the Japanese how to work on tank turret guns during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

While in the service, Hoot married the love of his life, Rosie Zobrist from Fairfax, South Dakota. They were blessed with seven children. He farmed for over 40 years on the family homestead. After retiring and moving to Platte, he enjoyed wood working and building many things in his shop. He also enjoyed putting on his train engineer hat & running the toy train that he designed and built in their home.

He was active in his church, the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Platte American Legion. He also served on the Geddes School Board.

Hoot was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and set a great example of how to treat everyone with kindness.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and his thirteen siblings and their spouses, his father and mother-in-laws, Louis and Ollie Zobrist.

Hoot is survived by his wife of 71 ears Rosie Westendorf; children Steve (Jill) Westendorf of Sturgis, SD, Randy (Marcella) Westendorf of Deadwood, SD, Kenny Westendorf of Platte, SD, Pat (Janis) Westendorf of Geddes, SD, Carrie (Brad) Sly of Platte, SD, Sandy (Gary) Burg of Delafield, WI, and Lisa Westendorf (Ken Rintala) of Sullivan, WI; 19 grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mount-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.