Darryl Sigurd Westlund

Darryl Westlund, 81, of Weston passed away peacefully at Aspirus Hospice House on August 30, 2025. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on October 16th, 1943. He grew up in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, where he attended Wayside Elementary School and then Wittenberg Grade School. After grade school, he attended Wittenberg High School, graduating in 1961. 

He described himself as a very normal kid, enjoyed playing sports and walking in the woods. He also enjoyed cutting and splitting wood and making maple syrup with his dad. After high school, Darryl attended Wausau Technical Institute (now NTC) where he earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration with a Marketing Major, graduating in 1964. In the following years he worked in Ashland, and at the Wittenberg Telephone Company. 

After his Associate Degree, Darryl enlisted in the National Guard in 1964, doing his basic training at Fort Knox. He was proud to serve in the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division. While serving in the National Guard, he qualified in expert marksmanship, and in 1970 he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergent. 

Darryl and his future wife, Kathleen Gumm, met in 1969. Their first date was to watch the moon landing at Joe’s in Steven’s Point. They married June 19, 1971, in Wisconsin Rapids. At this point, he went back to school, enrolling at UW-MC and then transferring to UW-La Crosse for his bachelor’s degree. In 1975 he was hired by the Wausau School District. While teaching, he earned his master’s degree through UW - La Crosse in 1981. 

Darryl taught Phy. ed. and health in the district. When he retired in 2004, he had been teaching Health classes at Wausau West, and coaching boys’ and girls’ cross country and boys’ distance runners in track. He said, “I took a lot of pride that we were able to beat some “big city” schools and always had distance runners on the podium at the state meet.” He really enjoyed the people at Wausau West and his time teaching and coaching there. 

After he retired from teaching, he was a delivery driver for Krueger Floral for 10 years. He said it was a satisfying job because people always smiled when he showed up with flowers for them. He also volunteered to help construct part of the Ice Age Trail and loved to play pub trivia with friends and family. He trained lifeguards at the YMCA as well. His interest in history, especially World War Two was apparent in his choice of books and his favorite movies. He always made an effort to watch “Saving Private Ryan” every Memorial Day. He also had an interest in the American Civil War because he was descended from a Civil War veteran. 

His interests also included physical challenges such as running, biking, hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. He enjoyed all of these because he was able to find a race in these activities, such as Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth; the Grand View Firehouse Fifty in Grandview, WI; and snowshoe racing in the Badger State Winter Games. He was also a sports enthusiast and a loyal supporter of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers. He also supported local high school teams, the Wausau Woodchucks, and the UW-Stevens Point basketball team.

Darryl had immense pride in his Norwegian heritage. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, where he served as a president, counselor, and publicity director. He also enjoyed Norwegian festivals like Syttende Mai in Stoughton,WI.

One of his favorite pass times was travelling to the family cabin on the Wisconsin River, which he fondly referred to as “the shack”. He looked forward to spending time on the river, kayaking or getting together with friends and relatives on a sandbar.

Family was at the center of Darryl’s life. He and his wife, Kathleen, have two sons, Eric and Matthew, in whom he took immense pride. As a family they took many trips together, including to Alaska; Churchill, Manitoba; Arizona; and Copenhagen. They also took many hiking trips around Wisconsin. He will be deeply missed by them and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Gumm) Westlund, his sons Eric and Matthew; sister-in-law Lorna (Gumm) Aigner; brother-in-law David Aigner; two nieces, Carrie and Jill Aigner; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sigurd Westlund and Doris (Welder) Westlund, and his brother Steve Westlund.

Darryl Westlund leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and an unwavering love for family and friends. As we reflect on his remarkable life, we celebrate the memories, the laughter, and the countless way he enriched our lives. May his spirit continue to inspire all those who knew him.

A memorial service to celebrate Darryl’s life will be held on Saturday, September 20th, 2025 at 2:30 P.M. at Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 2809 Jelinek Avenue, Weston. Visitation will take place from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service at Ascend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to direct memorials to cancer research. 

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.