Iris Elizabeth Westphal

MIDDLETON-Iris Westphal passed away peacefully on Sunday August 7th surrounded by family members at Agrace Hospice Center.  She was born on March 23rd 1927 in Madison Wisconsin.  She attended Madison East High School.  Iris met Arleigh Westphal on a blind date of dinner and dancing.  They later married on February 12th 1949.  Iris stayed active and busy helping others and working until the age of 80.  Iris will always be remembered for her fun spirit and the smile that she always had no matter how difficult the situation.  Iris believed in faith, family and friends.  Family was everything to her.  She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed.  Her greatest joy was spending time with family and cooking big family dinners.  Making cookies at Christmas with Lisa and Justin was a special family tradition.  Iris was a lifelong member of St. Luke's Lutheran church in Middleton where she volunteered in numerous areas, most recently as a greeter and assisting with mailings.   Iris is survived by her children, James Westphal, Jeanne Fick, daughters-in-law Deanna Bernstein and Jennifer Westphal, grandchildren Lisa Fick and Justin Fick.  Iris was preceded in death by her husband Arleigh, son Jeffry, parents Amelia and Frederick Behnke, sisters Celeste Peterson and Dorothy Herring, brother Albert (Bud) Behnke, and son-in-law Alan Fick.  Funeral services will be held at ST. LUKE'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton at 12 Noon on Friday, August 12, 2016 with the Reverend Heather Hayward presiding. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Iris will always be remembered for her fun spirit.  She was cheerful and positive to everyone. God has a special place in heaven for Iris.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.