Gwendolyn “Gwen” Nesburg

Obituary

Gwendolyn Gertrude Westman was born on February 24, 1940, in Kettle River, Minnesota. She was the daughter of a couple hardy Swedes, Eric “Herbert” and Gertrude (Odberg) Westman. Gwen was baptized and later confirmed at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City, Minnesota. She received her education and was a graduate of the Lindstrom Center City High School Class of 1958. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and began her career as a Registered Nurse.

Gwen met Duane (a Norwegian!) on a blind date when she visited Fairfax with her college roommate (and later Sister-in-law, Carol Briese). On July 29, 1962, Gwen was united in marriage to Duane Nesburg. They were blessed with three children; Jennifer, Karen, and John. Gwen was employed as a Registered Nurse for the Fairfax Clinic and later as a Public Health Nurse for Brown County, retiring in 2004.

Gwen was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax where she was in the choir for many years and shared her talents as a church organist for over 50 years.

Gwen’s passions were all things nature, which included activities like camping, boating, bird watching, all forms of skiing, skating, kayaking, swimming, fishing, bicycling, walking, or just sitting on the deck with Duane at each day’s end. They loved time at their rustic cabin on Ross Lake with family and friends. The adventures of Ross Lake included a 1.5-mile driveway in the mud, gathering water from the spring, using the outhouse, and fishing for hours! She sat by many-a-campfire, and jumped off the pontoon into the lake to swim at every chance she got!

Gwen and Duane loved to travel and saw so much of the world together. They traveled often with her brother, Rollie, and his wife, Martha. They took an annual trip to Arizona to see her brother, John, and his wife, GerrySue. She kept very detailed journals of their adventures!

She also enjoyed music to her very core, beginning with the trumpet and organ. She joined every choir or cantata in the area, took part in an outdoor musical, and attended the Redwood Falls concert series every year. The year wasn’t complete without attending the Gustavus Christmas in Christ Chapel.

Finally, Gwen absolutely loved her family, starting with her brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins all the way to every single moment with her grandchildren. She loved to tuck them into bed when they stayed overnight and taught the ritual of bedtime prayers, attended every event she could to cheer them on!

Gwen’s career as a nurse was life-long. She loved her time at Gustavus, attending the Nobel Conference annually with other Gusties.
Even after retiring, she often did shot clinics and trainings for Brown County. The nurses in her care centers included her in rounds with a clipboard where she was known to remind them of their duties.

Gwen moved into assisted living in Fairfax in 2018 and spent her time visiting Duane in the nursing home, watching tv together, and listening to the musical groups that visited each week. As dementia progressed, she received loving care in Hutchinson and then Franklin.

She passed away on the morning of October 3, 2021, at the age of 81 years at the Franklin Rehab and Care Center.

Blessed be her memory.

Gwen is survived by her:
Husband, Duane Nesburg of Fairfax, MN;
Children, Jeni Skeie and her husband, Eric of Olivia, MN,
Karen Bleick and her husband, Brett of Fairfax, MN, and
John Nesburg and his wife, Krista of Corcoran, MN;
Grandchildren, Jacob (Amy Kelly, Izzy and Marisa), Jordan (Elise Steinsland) and Elsa Skeie, Mason (Abbey Schmidt, Brynn and Cayson), Eve (Brandon Wortz), Quinn (Hannah) and Halle Bleick;
Great grandchild; Braelynn Bleick;
Brother; Roland Westman and his wife Martha of UT;
Sisters-in-law; Gerry Sue Westman of AZ, Bev Thompson of Bloomington, MN, Wanda Mann of WA;
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, other relatives and friends.

Gwen was preceded in death by many loved ones who greeted her in heaven.