Leo Vortherms, age 96, of Westbrook passed away Monday, November 17, 2025 at Sanford Westbrook Hospital after a brief hospitalization due to a fall. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24 at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leo Vortherms was born on February 26, 1929 to Frank and Regina (Beckmann) Vortherms in Granville, IA. He received the sacraments at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville and attended St. Joseph Catholic School. Leo was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War in the artillery unit from August 26, 1951 to May 6, 1953. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned home to farm. Leo was united in marriage to Agnes Klein on May 26, 1953 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hospers, IA. Leo worked for several farmers and rented land before purchasing a farm near Westbrook in 1960. Leo retired from farming in 1993 and they moved into town in 2011. Leo was a man of service. He was on the Westbrook Elevator Board for 20 years and served as chairman. He also served on various councils at St. Anthony Catholic Church and helped build the upper building. As a very active member of the Westbrook American Legion, Leo served at many military funerals and parades as part of the Honor Guard. Some of Leo’s pastimes were woodworking and furniture repair, fishing, playing cards and having coffee with the guys. He also enjoyed playing cribbage and taught his kids to play.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 72 years Agnes; children: Ruth Vortherms of LeSueur, Joyce Vortherms of Westbrook, Glen (Jana) Vortherms of Sun City, AZ, and Mary (Darin) Hertwig of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren: Michael, Emily, Kaitlyn (Ross McKinnon) and Marissa (Austin Rampy) Vortherms; siblings-in-law: Ellen Vortherms, Arthur Klein, Robert McCoy and Joan Klein; and many other relatives & friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, son John Vortherms; brothers: George, Ernest, Arnold and Sylvester, and sisters: Evelyn Slinger, Isabelle Hemman and Johanna Klein.
