James E. Westbrook

James “Jim” Everett Westbrook passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, after a short battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and countless stories that will be held dear by all who knew him.

Jim was born on May 3, 1942, in Estherville, Iowa, to Katherine Alice (Murphy) and Charles Everett Westbrook. He often recounted that he weighed just four pounds, one ounce, and spent 30 days in an incubator. His early days were marked by fond memories, including the loving tale of Wanda Kennedy, an adopted family member, who liked to share that he slept in his Grandma Murphy’s dresser drawer as a baby.

Jim cherished his childhood in Estherville, where he lived with and near to his grandmother and other close relatives. Many of his childhood stories are from St. Patrick’s Catholic school where he got into his fair share of mischief with the Mitchell boys and other classmates. In 1960, when his family moved to Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, Jim attended Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School, where he discovered his passion for machine shop class. After graduating in 1962, he enlisted in the army following the call to service like his father and uncles.

Jim proudly served his country, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced training at Fort Knox. He was assigned to the D Company, 3rd Battalion of the 37th Armor Regiment and later was moved to the 64th Armor Division while serving in Germany. Jim was honorably discharged in June 1965.

Shortly after returning to Hoyt Lakes, Jim began a 36-year career with Erie Mining Company as a welder in the taconite industry, retiring as one of the last 20 employees at the closure of the plant. His military service continued as he joined the Navy Seabees, retiring as Chief Petty Officer and Safety Officer after 37 years of proud service in both branches and forging lifelong friendships with so many.

In 1967, Jim married Jean (Scruggs), and together they had four daughters, and hosted a foreign exchange “daughter” from Portugal for a year. He often shared his pride in “his girls,” and liked to highlight that all four worked as summer laborers at LTV, their hard hats lovingly displayed in his garage.

In 2005, Jim married Mary (Vuicich) on her birthday and retirement day, marking the beginning of 19 years filled with adventures. They spent winters in Texas, traveled extensively, and cherished trips to Hawaii, Ireland, and Europe, including a Rhine River cruise. Jim and Mary got their beloved dog, Maggie in 2021. Maggie was a constant companion and traveled with them as often as possible.

Jim’s hobbies and affiliations reflected his vibrant life. He contributed to the writing and publishing of Taconite: New Life for Minnesota's Iron Range and was a lifetime member of the Hoyt Lakes VFW Post 8144, American Legion Post 241, Hoyt Lakes Garden Club, golf, and clubs dedicated to trap shooting, biking, and rock collecting in Palmview, Texas.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Katherine and Charles Westbrook; other family members: Wanda Kennedy, Cody Vreeland, and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Jessie (Tom) Erickson, Sandra (Chad) Fladeland, Ann (Chris) Vreeland, and Nancy (Bobby Fladeland II) Fladeland; honorary daughter Ivone Canavilhas; grandchildren Hannah (Erick) Fladeland, Katherine (Ries) Erickson Trenary, Reed Erickson, Bo Henry Fladeland III, Autumn Fladeland, and Casey Vreeland. He is also survived by his extended family, including Mary’s children, Kristina (Ron) Giometti and Steven (Heather) Alford, grandchildren Ronnie, Daniel, Tommy, Luke and Paul; sisters Margaret (Don) Batteen, Joan Lien, Jeannette Westbrook, and Virginia Westbrook; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Maggie and many dear friends, too many to list.

Memorial Mass will be 11:00am Monday, February 10, 2025 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Aurora with Fr. Brandon Moravitz as celebrant. Visitation will be from 2-4PM Sunday, February 9 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora and will continue for one hour prior to the mass at church on Monday. Interment with military honors will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Saginaw, MN.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth and Essentia Health-Northern Pines in Aurora, as well as the many friends who visited or called Jim during his final days. Your love and kindness meant the world to him.

Jim Westbrook leaves behind not just stories but a legacy of love, service, and joy that will endure in the hearts of those who cherished him.