Heidi Marie Westedt

Heidi Marie Westedt,age 44 of Onalaska, was called to her Heavenly home on January 10, 2015 at UW Health hospital in Madison from complications following a bone marrow transplant on December 10, 2014. Heidi was born on November 5,1970 at Hillsboro, Wisconsin. Her early years were spent in Wonewoc where she was baptized into faith on November 29, 1970. She moved to Onalaska with her family in 1981and she confirmed her faith at St. Paul's in Onalaska in May 1984. She graduated from Luther High School in 1988 and from WWTC in 1990 as a Certified Medical Assistant. She was employed at Gundersen Health System as a MA from 1990 until her death working in the float pool, and since 1996 in the Pediatrics department at the Onalaska campus. She enjoyed the friendship of many co-workers and especially enjoyed meeting & caring for the children.

Over the past 15 years she suffered numerous challenges to her health & was diagnosed in 2010 with Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia. Through the many challenges to her health she maintained a positive attitude and lived her life to the fullest working full time,travelling with friends, and putting worship of her Lord Jesus first in her life.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Allen & Dorothy Westedt, Leland and Anita Ray, & Clarence Vanderhoof, her Uncle Richard Vanderhoof, her cousin Brenda Jo Havlik Miller,Great Grandparents and Great Aunts & Uncles.

Survivors include her parents Robert & Darla (Vanderhoof) Westedt of Onalaska, Sister Lori (Ken) Enghusen of Kila, Montana, Aunts, Uncles & cousins, her "adopted" second family Jane,Jean, & Nancy Vonderohe & Goddaughter Tessa Vonderohe of LaCrescent, Minnesota, numerous friends & co-workers, and her church family at Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church in LaCrosse. She brightened the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Heidi's wish for those she leaves behind is that they might come to know and love Jesus Christ as she did, trusting in his life, death, and resurrection as the only way to Heaven and that they all would join her there one day. As Jesus said, "Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you a crown of life." Revelation 2:10 NIV

We want to thank Pastor Wassermann, Pastor Lindholm, & Staff Minister Clark from Mt. Calvary for bringing her strength through Word and Sacrament during her many hospitalizations. Thanks also to the medical and support staff at both Gundersen Health System and UW Health System for their compassionate care.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 16 at Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church in LaCrosse at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Robert Wassermann officiating. Burial will be in Onalaska City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse and from 10:00 until time of service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers Memorials are preferred to Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church.

Heidi's dear friend Kathy Fox Finch has been organizing a "Hope for Heidi" benefit scheduled to be held from 2:00 to 7:00p.m. at the All Star Lanes Banquet Hall, 4735 Mormon Coulee Road in LaCrosse on Saturday, January 17 to help cover the expenses of Heidi's medical treatments