Sioux Falls, Elverne “Al” Westerman, age 79, died on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 30, 2010 at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM on Thursday at George Boom Funeral Home, in Sioux Falls with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Elverne “Al” Wesley Westerman was born on February 4, 1931 in Davis, South Dakota to Ben and Effie (Plucker) Westerman. Al was raised and received his education in Parker, SD. On July 30, 1949 he was united in marriage with Doris Beeler in Elk Point, SD, the couple made their home in Sioux Falls in 1950. Al began working at John Morrell and Company in 1952 and retired in 1988 working mainly in the curing department. He was a member of Hilltop United Methodist Church, The Moose Lodge, Morrell’s Breakfast Club and the Bergland Center. He enjoyed collecting coins, metal detecting and playing Bingo. Al was a loving husband of 61 years, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, son and friend who will be greatly missed.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Doris Westerman of Sioux Falls, SD; five children, David Westerman and his wife, Mary of Newport News, VA, Donald Westerman and his wife, Karen of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary Twedt and her husband, David of Spencer, SD, Dale Westerman and his wife, Cindi of Sioux Falls, SD, and Michelle Westerman of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren, Catherine Westerman, Christopher (Kelli) Westerman, William (Ashley) Westerman, Nicole Westerman, Sarah Westerman, Jessica (Anthony) Byre, Ashley Westerman and Chelsea Westerman; seven great-grandchildren; one brother H.J. Westerman and his wife, Helen of Maple Plains, MN; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Al is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Effie Westerman; brother, Harold Westerman; and sister, Evelyn Hockenberry.