Obituary of Solveig Hallanger Westgard

Solveig Hallanger Westgard passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2024, at age 79, with her family at her bedside after a long battle with atypical Alzheimer’s disease.

Solveig was born in Fort-Dauphin (Taolagnaro), Madagascar, the daughter of Lutheran missionaries, Fredrick and Alvilde (Torvik) Hallanger. She spent a remarkable childhood in Madagascar, with occasional travels through Europe and furloughs in St. Paul, MN, until she returned to the United States to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She initially planned to be an interpreter abroad, earning degrees in French and English and then teaching in Banff, Alberta, Grosse Pointe, MI, and Larimore, ND. However, she fell in love with and, in 1968, married David Westgard. Together, they had two sons and a daughter, and a loving and admirable 56-year marriage.

As a young couple, Solveig and David moved for his training in family medicine, first to Seattle, WA, and then to San Bernardino and Sacramento, CA, where they made lifelong friends. They settled in LaCrosse, WI, where Solveig raised their children, built a home, and volunteered for many church and community organizations and boards, particularly in support of the arts. In later years, Solveig and David lived in San Angelo, TX, and Rochester, MN, ultimately moving to St. Paul to be closer to family and grandchildren. She wholeheartedly supported her children’s aspirations, helping move them across the country to new opportunities, and spending significant time supporting them when they had children of their own.

Solveig lived the role of a homemaker in a non-traditional way, understanding it as chosen, valuable, underappreciated work. She was a fierce supporter of girls and women, encouraging their voices and achievements. Solveig was interested in design of all kinds, music, and the outdoors. She spent her life creating and curating spaces, experiences, and traditions for her family, particularly the lake cottage that centered them. She taught her children and grandchildren her love of home building, creative projects, and treasure hunting in thrift and antique stores. Solveig appreciated the written and spoken word, inspired verse, and precise language. She valued justice and the stewardship of the natural world. And Solveig loved rivers, lakes, and seas and messing about in boats with her children and grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in LaCrosse and Bethlehem Lutheran in Minneapolis and Minnetonka. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Frederick and Erling, and sisters Anna, Eunice, Phyllis, and Elizabeth. She is remembered and survived by her husband, David; her children, Bjorn (Kathrin), Tor (Nicole), and Britt (Michael); her grandchildren, Elenore, Frederik, Sophia, Lauren, Olivia, Johannes, and Madeline; her brother, Chris (Jan); her sisters Helen, Jane, and Agnes; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Solveig’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the Senior Helpers of Lake Minnetonka and the Park Nicollet hospice teams who helped David care for Solveig in her last months.

A memorial service and luncheon to celebrate Solveig’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 11am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Memorial donations in her memory may be directed to Global Health Ministries.