Douglas West, 72

Douglas Leon West, 72, passed on to a better place on November 26, 2012.

Douglas was born December 12, 1939 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Dale and Anna West. He was raised in Harrisburg, South Dakota and Jasper, Minnesota, before eventually moving to Garvin, where he graduated from Tracy High School in 1958, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two years on active duty in France and returned home to marry Nina Peterson, of Garvin, in 1962. They resided in Garvin, where all three of their children were born and raised.

Douglas worked for the Murray County Highway Department as a diesel mechanic prior to beginning his career with Henry’s Candy Company as a sales/route driver in 1972, serving the Southwestern Minnesota service area. During this time, he was also a police officer in Garvin for 15 years and member of the Garvin Fire Department, where he served as chief for several years.

In 1990, when Henry’s Candy Company moved to Alexandria, Douglas and Nina took up roots and also moved to the Alexandria lakes area. They began their time in Alexandria living on Lobster Lake, and eventually bought their home in Nelson. He retired from Henry’s in 2003, after 32 years of dedicated service.

Douglas enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, playing cards, but most of all, pool, of which he was an avid player, nearly professional in his own right. This is one of the last pleasures he had prior to his being called home.

He was a member of many organizations throughout his lifetime, but most recently the U.S. American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Nelson Community Association.

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents; and eldest sister Rita of Lawrence, Kansas.

Douglas is survived by his twin brother, David of Amiret; sisters, Jean Krueger of Garvin, and Karen Pamp of Redwood Falls; his loving wife of 50 years, Nina West of Nelson; children, Sheryl Gleason of San Antonio, Texas; James (Caroline) West of Saginaw, Michigan; and Paul West of Nelson; seven grandchildren, Aaron Gleason of San Antonio; Benjamin, Samuel, Juliana and Jack West, all of Saginaw; Samantha and Cole Tracy of Kremmling, Colorado; as well as many other relatives and family friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 30 at 2 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Lynndene Way officiating. Military honors will be by American Legion Post #87 and VFW Post #936.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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