Harvey Ivan Westrom

About Harvey

Harvey Ivan Westrom, 88, of Blackduck, MN (formerly of Bemidji & Bloomington, MN), died on Monday, July 10, 2023 at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN surrounded by his family.

Harvey was born in Blackduck, MN on April 29, 1935 and lived east of Blackduck near Squaw Lake. He attended Bemidji State earning a B.S. degree after completing his High School in Blackduck graduating in 1953.

Harvey student taught at Blackduck High School and while chaperoning prom, he asked Loris Neuman to marry him. They were married on August 9, 1958 on one of the hottest days on record in Blackduck - a glowing start to their wedded bliss!

He began teaching math/science in Long Prairie, MN. It was here where his first 2 daughters Barbara & Deborah were born. The young family moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico where Harvey earned his MS degree.

He accepted a job in Bloomington, MN and their 3rd daughter Sandra was born. He taught High School Chemistry for 31years, retiring in 1992. Combining work with travel, Harvey also taught workshops for Bemidji State to DODDS teachers in Germany. He was recognized in 1978 as Minnesota’s Best High School Chemistry Teacher and in 1985 received Bemidji State University’s Outstanding Alumnus Award for distinguished professional achievement in teaching.

In 2012, Loris and Harvey moved to Bemidji, MN. Retirement included hunting, fishing, spending time at their Moose Lake lake home near Pennington, MN, spending winters in Florida and Texas, entertaining friends and family and travel to nearly 50 countries. Harvey was known for his sense of humor, especially on the 16th of March, St. Urho’s Day. He will be missed.

Harvey is survived by his three daughters, Barbara (Daniel) Szekely, Deborah (Lane) Anderson and Sandra (Mark) Niblick; 4 grandchildren, Jeffrey (Lauren) Luger, Julia Luger, Kaylynn Anderson and Jared Anderson; 1 great grandson, Wesley Luger; and other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Loris Westrom; his parents, Ida Julia (Sandness) and John Adolf Westrem.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Harvey

August 12, 2023

New Salem Lutheran Church 7491 Island View Dr NE, Turtle River, MN 56601, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home