Marlys J. Westling, age 99, of St. Louis Park died Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard Lake.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 am Friday, July 10, 2015 at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale, with Rev. Ruth Hograbe officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Marlys June Westling was born June 11, 1916 in Wright County, Minnesota to Cecil and Marie (Nelson) Triplett. Marlys grew up on her family farm and at the age of 14 she moved to Minneapolis where she worked as a housekeeper for an elderly couple. She met Richard Westling and at the age of 16 they were united in marriage on September 20, 1932 in Minneapolis. They purchased a 40 acre home in St. Louis Park on what is present day Minnetonka Boulevard. Marlys and Richard were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Marlys. During the war, Marlys and Dick, along with the help of their daughter, Marlys, raised chickens and hogs and sold them door to door. After the war was over and a demand for housing grew, Marlys and Dick owned and operated Westling Construction from 1946-1970, where they worked as builders and developers in St. Louis Park. Marlys' keen eye, her sense of style, and her knack for decorating helped their business flourish. Marlys enjoyed working alongside her husband, spending time in her home, tending to her yard and gardens. Her home is the oldest home in St. Louis Park and was added to the Historical Society. She loved to entertain and host family and friends, with Christmas being her favorite. She would always make sure Santa would stop by for a visit. Marlys had a love for animals, especially cats. She liked to go out for dinners and was a sharp dresser. She was thrifty, yet had a generous heart and will be dearly missed by many.

Marlys is survived by her son-in-law, Ronald Nelson of Dayton; grandchildren, Kathy (Russell) Fischbach of Coon Rapids, Mitchell (Karen Franson) Nelson of St. Louis Park, John Nelson of Malmo, Wade (Gina Rosa) of Malmo; four great grandchildren Angela (Rick) Jansen, Becky Nelson, Nick Nelson, & Jami Nelson; brother, Bud (Delores) Triplett of Seattle, Washington; sister-in-law, Gladys Triplett of Howard Lake; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 74 years, Richard, daughter, Marlys June Nelson, brothers Roger, Erwin, Robert, and Donald Triplett and sisters, Irene Scherer and Lois "Babe" Gustafson.

Sarah Goelz will provide music for the service. Mitchell Nelson, Russell Fischbach, Sharon Nelson, and Rick Jansen will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.