Anita M. Westphal

Anita M. Westphal, 95, a lifelong resident of Kenosha, died peacefully in her sleep, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Brookdale Dementia Care.

Anita was born in Kenosha to the late Joseph and Anna(Velas) Cerveny on May 19,1930.  She graduated from Kenosha High School, and worked in the office at Johns Manville, Illinois. She left to raise a family. Anita was a talented musician. She was a singer, pianist, organist, choir and handbell director. Over the years, she served many congregations: Grace Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran, Plymouth Congregational, Holy Nativity Lutheran, Wesley Methodist, Christ Lutheran and finishing at Grace Lutheran again. Later in life, she worked toward an Associate degree in Accounting from Gateway Technical College. Anita generously gave her time to assist at her son’s establishment-Chutes and Ladders Bar and Grill, Kenosha.  She also was a loving and nurturing caregiver to her grandchildren. 

On December 3, 1949, she married Wayne Westphal at Grace Lutheran Church. They shared 70 years together. Throughout their life together, they were members of the Kenosha Band Boosters, Girl Scouts of America, CYO Emerald Knights parents, and Racine Kilts cook squad. Anita was president/member of the American Guild of Organists(AGO) chapter. She was always a member of an ELCA Lutheran church.

Whatever craziness her children chose to try, from marching band, baton twirling, and car racing, Anita never hesitated to follow and then take on leadership roles. As a grandparent, there were multiple trips to the Eagle River cabin, Milwaukee and Racine zoos, Six Flags Great America, and the “little library” with picnics on their front lawn.  As Anita struggled with the decline from dementia over ten years, her great grandchildren benefited from the love and values she shared with their parents.

Anita is survived by: Children: David(Linda) Westphal, Wendy(Michael) Farrell, and Randy(Lisa) Westphal; Grandchildren: Christopher(Wendy Will) Westphal, Julie Westphal, Ryan(Stephanie Bilharz) Farrell, Brooke(Ethen) Perez, Kyle(Tina Truong-Farrell) Farrell, Tyler(Danielle Tesar) Farrell and Katy(Adam) Schuls; Great-Grandchildren- Vivian & Vinny Perez, Declan & Juniper Farrell, Jozie Schuls, and Nora Farrell. 

Sister: Marlene Binninger; Sister-in-law: Donna Cerveny; Many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by brothers: Eugene & Glenn Cerveny; sister-in-law: Betty Cerveny; brothers-in-law: Dennis Becker & Mark Binninger and her grandson-Anthony Edwards.  

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Dementia Care for their countless hours of care and Hospice Alliance for their kindness and guidance.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Kenosha on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 11 am. Visitation will start at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Anita Westphal’s name can be made to the organ, handbell, or stained glass window fund at Holy Communion Church 2000 West Sixth St. Racine, WI  53405-2624 or Hospice Alliance 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd. Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Love always Protects, Trusts, Hopes, Perseveres.   I Corinthians 13:7