Virgil Westphal
March 29, 1938 - August 26, 2019
Obituary
MADISON / MCFARLAND – A legend has sadly passed away. Virgil W. Westphal, age 81, always the life of the party, died at home unexpectedly on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. He was born on March 29, 1938, in Paullina, Iowa, the son of George and Elsie (Appledorn) Westphal. If you knew Virgil, you heard one, two, or three (or more) of his inappropriate jokes. The first joke he usually started with was, “How good is your memory?” And if you really knew Virgil, you would be raising your hand to indicate you already heard that joke many, many times.
Virgil served in the U.S. Airforce as an Air Traffic Controller from 1958-1961. He married Jeanette Uebersetzig in 1961. She preceded him in death in 2017. Virgil worked for the Madison Street Department starting in 1961. In 1965, he went to work for the Madison Fire Department. Virgil moved up the ranks and retired in 1993 as a Division Chief. His most memorable call during his time on the department was the famous “Butter Fire” in 1991. Virgil had many talents. One of them was auctioneering. He and Jeanette started Westphal Auction Service. They led many of their own auctions, and also assisted Earl Culp Auction Service and George Auction Service. During one of these auctions, Jeanette managed to buy (without Virgil’s knowledge) one of his favorite possessions, a 1958 Buick Special. Virgil also prided himself on helping to raise money by auctioning items off at various fundraisers. Over the years, Virgil and Jeanette bought, managed and sold several rental properties, as well as owning a small hobby farm where they raised everything from pigs, steers, rabbits, chickens, geese, goats and sheep.
Virgil was a pilot and served as president for several flying clubs. He was a member of McFarland Ducks Unlimited and led their annual fundraiser for years. He was a member of AmVets Post No. 151, Vintage Car Club, and served as a member and chaplain for the American Legion Post No. 248. He was also a former member of Hope Rod and Gun Club.
Virgil is survived by his children, Sandy (Steve) Kresz, Vicki (Mark) Kampmeier, Denise Westphal (Larry Mesch) and Scott (Mindy) Westphal; grandchildren, Chad (Emily) Helgeson, Jackie Helgeson, Kyle (Ashley) Kampmeier, Kane Kampmeier, Austin Leopold, Sydney Leopold, and Kaden, Parker and Carter Westphal; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Miranda and Michael Jr.; sister, Arlene Ross; and other relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jeanette; his parents; and two sisters.
A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. Entombment with Military Honors will be held after the service at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. A luncheon will immediately follow the entombment at AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 534, 4911 Burma Rd., McFarland. Virgil loved to buy people dinner and a drink. So, please come have one last meal and drink on Virg. Angelo’s will cater the event, as he loved the owners and the people he knew and met there over the years.
Memorials may be made to the family to be designated to Virgil’s favorite charities. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
McFarland won’t be the same as the legend goes home to be with Mom. God, I hope you are ready!
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Sep 4, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Wed Sep 4, 2019 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Virgil have been shared yet.
Memories
CD
Carolyn & Mike Dahl
Other •
Vicki and family- With deepest sympathy on the loss of Virgil. We have so many great memories of him it is hard to pick a favorite as he was one of a kind . Sending prayers your way , God bless you at this difficult time.
Carolyn & Mike Dahl
JW
Jim Werlein
Other •
Vicki, my sympathies on the passing of your dad. I hope, in time, your memories of him will bring you peace and happiness.
Sincerely,
Jim Werlein (your high school homeroom "roommate").
S
Sam
Other •
I will never forget the first time I met Virgil! It was our grand opening at McFarland and I wanted to spend all of my time with him! He told me the story of him chasing the neighbor lady and how they all seem to try and sneak kisses from him! He loves telling the one about remembering before he was born coming home from the dance with mom and dad 🤣that one always got me! You never saw Virgil without a huge smile on his face! One of my favorite memories was the day I told him I could polka. His face lit up and he didn’t think I was serious until I grabbed his hand and asked him to dance with me. He absolutely loved sharing his auctioning stories and how he was the fastest in the west. He could jumprope faster than anyone I knew and when I told him “prove it” he laughed and said he didn’t want to put me to shame 😁! The silent auctions were always fun because Virgil was a hit as always, really anywhere he went he was asking for smooches from the ladies and cracking jokes. Let’s not forget how much he loved his car and was so proud to come show it off to the team! Ill
K
Kelly
Other •
To ALL of Virgil's family, so sorry of his sudden passing! I think Jeanette most likely said "What are you doing here already, go back!!" Lol...Many memories of the Ol' Virg...He constantly reminded me of all the dances we had at Country Corners, his smerky smile the whole dance. "Whens the wedding?" Told him when he planned it! 😜 Most recently, when him and Vicki came into Country Corners for lunch, he would lightly hit me with his cane, once I saw them coming up the ramp and locked him out..and most of all, driving by the house and he was sitting in the garage with Jeanettes chair very closely next to him!! Rest in peace!
PL
Pamela Layton
Other •
So sad to hear about Virgil's passing. He introduced me as his "dance partner" as was tradition to dance with Virgil at the American Legion with Dean's Blue Country. Always smiling and telling jokes...as from Stoughton, he would always tell me the same one..."what is the best thing that came out of Stoughton and McFarland? Highway 51!" He was very proud of his auctioneer talent...almost every time I saw him he would say, "did I tell you I used to be an auctioneer?" And then he would do his short bidding performance and just giggle. He was a very kind man and I will miss him dearly. My next dance goes out to you Virgil! My thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.
TS
Traci Stanek
Other •
Vicki, my deepest sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your Dad. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. Traci Stanek