The Chronicle
Centrilia, Washington
Wednesday, January 5, 2011


Arvilla Westergaard (1921-2011)
Arriving into the world Christmas Day 1921 in Sleepy Eye, MN,
Arvilla Laura was the first of five children born to Emil and Gerta
(Matthiesen). Shortly after Arvilla's birth, Emil and Gertha, second
generation German Lutheran Immigrants, moved to the farm near New Salem,
ND, where Arvilla grew up. As a child, she excelled in school and enjoyed
reading, sewing, swimming, socializing, 4-H, and her chruch.  In 1942,
Arvilla Married Lloyd Lake, a traveling sales man. His work took them
on extensived travels in the western part of the United States, Mexico
and later Alaska. First, a son, Larry, and later a daughter, Judy, were
born to that union.  Eventually, the family based out of Belle Fourche,
SD. As her husband's health deteriorted, Arvilla became a partner in
the business and was instrumental in developing The Alaska Travel Guide.
In her early forties, Arvilla moved on to a new chapter in her life in
nearby Spearfish, SD. She married John (Tino) Marchiando, a miner from
the gold mines, and they build a cabin together in the beautiful Black
Hills. She worked in the hotel industry until he retired. Then they spent
winters in a retirement park in Mesa, AZ where Arvilla moved full time
after his death in 1976.  It was in Mesa that Arvilla had time to renew
some of her interests and hobbies. The warm climate and pool offered
her opportunity to swim and do water aerobics. Always a perfectionist
as a seamstress, she sewed many beautiful clothes and some costumes and
dolls for grandchildren as well. She became an avid reader and an expert
at crossword puzzles! She also became active in her Lutheran church and
Ladies' Circle. After remarrying another retiree, Orleander Westergaard,
she was able to renew her greatest passion: traveling. In the early years
of their marriage, they did trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Denmark, as well as
many areas of the United States.  In 1993 Arvilla and Orlee moved to Lake
Mayfield near Mossyrock, WA where they lived next door to daughter Judy
until the fall of 2000 when the sun beckoned them again to Las Vegas,
NV. With Larry's help they moved to a house (and swimming pool again)
in a retirement community in Sun City. In Sun City, she rejoined water
aerobics at the community center and kept with her church activities,
reading, and working crossword puzzles. Orlee passed away January of 2003
and Arvilla returned to Washington in the fall of 2004.  Arvilla moved to
Heritage House, a wonderful assisted living facility in Morton, WA. With
the help of caring staff, other residents, and family, she enjoyed her
last years until her death on January 1, 2011.  She died peacefullly
with family at her side at Morton General Hospital. Funeral services are
Staurday, January 8, 2011, 2pm, at the Centeral Lutheran Church in Morton
with Pastor Greg Wighman officiating. She is survived by son Larry (Nola)
Lake, daughter Judy (Gerald) Rothmeyer, daughter-in-law Ann Joe Lake,
four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.