Obituary of Sylvester J. Westhoff

Sylvester J. �Wes� Westhoff, age 88, of Osage Beach, Missouri, passed away, Monday, February 15, 2010 at his residence in Osage Beach. He was born March 27, 1921 in Marthasville, Missouri, a son to Albert J. and Annie Mary (Sickmann) Westhoff. He was united in marriage on April 14, 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Virginia Maune, who preceded him in death on May 14, 2006. Wes Westhoff began his nearly lifelong association with the Burton Duenke Family and the Duenke Company in St. Louis, Missouri fifty-eight years ago to the day on February 15, 1952. He ran a manufactured housing plant for the company, which produced thousands of pre-fabricated homes, many of which shipped worldwide. One was sent to and assembled in Istanbul, Turkey for a world exposition during the 1950�s. Burton Duenke had the vision for Tan Tar A Resort, but his �right hand�, Wes Westhoff, built it. Wes� first imprint upon Lake of the Ozarks was in 1960 putting up half a dozen manufactured homes known today as the �Islander� suites. These rental units were the foundation of Tan Tar A Resort and are still in use. From there, while both men commuted from their homes in the St. Louis area, the resort began to grow with more guest rooms, restaurants and amenities. In 1966, Wes moved his family from Washington, Missouri to the Lake. As Vice-President of Burton Duenke Development Company, Wes oversaw virtually every aspect of construction of both the Resort Complex and the Tan Tar A Estates homes. Beyond supervising construction, he became pivotal in operations and management of everything that is �Tan Tar A�. Wes had the eye and creativity of an artist. The breadth of his life knowledge encompasses the disciplines of architecture, engineering, all phases of construction, drafting, design, and landscaping. Wes was also an accomplished gardener, fisherman and hunter to boot. Under his watchful eye, the resort continued to grow into a uniquely beautiful, nationally recognized destination. The multitude of projects Wes led around the entire Lake area make up the visible legacy of his career. Beyond the visible, what he taught all of those associated with him is the intangible legacy of Wes Westhoff. He embodied so many honorable attributes, those virtues all of us would aspire to, but few achieve. Some of these attributes that come to mind are, hard work, loyalty, discipline, honesty, and leadership. Wes was tough, but fair in all of his dealings, he possessed a sly sense of humor, an astounding eye for detail and an amazing memory that was second-to-none. A first meeting with Wes often could be intimidating, but one would soon come to understand and respect the man inside. Throughout their marriage, Wes was singularly devoted to his beloved wife Virginia, particularly during the last years of her life; his dedication to her care continues to inspire those closest to him. Four generations of family remain Wes and Ginny�s greatest achievement. Wes is survived by four daughters, Joyce Griswold, and husband, Joe, of Eldon, Missouri, Jeanne Dickemann, of Osage Beach, Missouri, Christie List, and husband, Steve, of Osage Beach, Missouri, and Geri Westhoff, of Osage Beach, Missouri; two sons, Don Westhoff, and wife, Desiree, of Osage Beach, Missouri and Dough Westhoff, and wife, Cythia, of Osage Beach, Missouri; three brothers and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Linus Westhoff, of Marthasville, Missouri, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Westhoff, of Krakow, Missouri, and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Westhoff, of Dutzow, Missouri; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Ballman, of Dutzow, Missouri, and Mrs. Anna Marie Steffens, of Washington, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mrs. Leverne Westhoff, of Marthasville, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, along with other relatives and friends. Wes was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, his parents, three brothers, Leo, Tony, and Andy, and four sisters, Leona, Bernadine, Christine and Monica.