Awanda M. Nowatzki

Awanda M. Nowatzki, 72, Jamestown, North Dakota, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Awanda Marie Ostrem was born February 24, 1937, at Hardy, Iowa, the daughter of Howard and Grace (Elliott) Ostrem. She was raised on a farm near Fort Ripley, Minnesota, following her mother's marriage to Morris Beaumont. Her ""Pop"" quickly became a dearly beloved father to the then three year old little girl. Both of her parents were 4-H leaders so Awanda also participated in 4-H, choosing projects as diverse as raising sheep, sewing, food preparation, demonstrations and Junior Leadership. She attended elementary and high school at Little Falls, Minnesota. In high school she participated in choir, madrigal, class plays, Junior Academy of Science and was co-editor of the high school newspaper during her senior year. Following graduation in 1954, she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1956 Awanda married Fred Westphal, a high school classmate. Following their marriage Awanda worked at Procter and Gamble offices in Minneapolis and Chicago doing secretarial and accounting work for eight years. When her husband completed his doctorate at Northwestern University the family moved to New York state, where he taught at the State University of New York at Fredonia. The family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, because of a teaching position at the University of Miami. Their two sons, Eric Westphal and Kevin Westphal, were born there. Awanda attended classes at the University of Miami before returning to the work force as a legal secretary.

As a single mother, Awanda and the boys moved back to Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1978. She was employed at White Drug Enterprises as the store bookkeeper for the new White Mart store in Little Falls. After a few months she began traveling to do store procedure audits, and was later transferred to the main office in Jamestown.

In 1982, Awanda married James Nowatzki, who was also employed by White Drug. They subsequently resigned from White Drug Enterprises and purchased Matt's Office Supply in Jamestown. Their store first operated as Jamestown Office Supply but when they moved to the present location at 108 First Avenue South, the name was changed to Officeland. Awanda has been responsible for the accounting work at the store for many years.

Volunteer activities have occupied much of Awanda's time. She served on the Alfred Dickey Library Board for six years, as treasurer of the Stutsman County Memorial Museum and board member, on the Salvation Army board, and as treasurer and board member of the Alfred Dickey Library Foundation. She served on all these boards for many years. An active member of the Kiwanis, she served as president of the club in 2005-2006. Awanda was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was Missions Chairman. Awanda was a member of Lady Washington Chapter in various capacities, including Worthy Matron, before becoming the chapter secretary in 1996. Awanda also held various offices for the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in North Dakota. Her first appointment was as Grand Ruth in 1984, followed by an appointment as Grand Chaplain, and subsequent election to positions leading to her service as Worthy Grand Matron of North Dakota in 2001-2002.

Awanda is survived by her husband, Jim, Jamestown; two sons, Eric (Patricia) Westphal, Ireland, and Kevin (Kristin) Westphal, Cedarburg, Wisconsin; one stepson, Derek (Amy) Nowatzki, Mableton, Georgia; three grandsons; and two granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Morris Beaumont; a stepson, David Nowatzki; and a sister, Mildred Magnan.

Funeral Service: 3:00 PM, Friday, March 6, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, Jamestown, with Pastor Kenrad Pederson and Pastor Dick Boyd officiating.

Visitation: 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.

Prayer Service: 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2009 at First United Methodist Church.

Burial: Watertown Cemetery, Watertown, Wisconsin

On line guestbook: www.eddyfuneralhome.com