Barbara J. Riedel

Barbara J. Riedel, age 80, passed away on May 28, 2025, following an extended illness.

Barbara Jean was born July 1, 1944, in Faribault, MN to Bennie and Lola (Austin) Aase. She attended Kenyon School. She married Donald Westphal and had three children. They later divorced and Barb married Russell Riedel and had two more children. Barb started out working at the Kenyon Canning Co. and other factories including Faribo Manufacturing Co. She finished her career helping others in group homes and nursing home settings.

While visiting her oldest son in Montana, Barbara fell in love with the beautiful scenes that Montana had to offer, especially the mountain views. She then decided to make Montana her home as well. She first settled in Fort Benton making her way to Havre, Carter, and finally Chouteau, Montana. While loving life and spending 14 years enjoying the wildlife of bears, elk, deer, and coyotes right outside her door. She made her way back to Minnesota to spend the rest of her years relaxing and being a grandma to Nicole (A. Grace) Westphal, Colt (Rachael Volsen), Cody, Megan (Carlos Torres), and Chanceller Waskosky, Elba, Natalia, Miranda, and Nathan Rodriguez, Tyler (Amber Turner), Brianna (Gunnar Flores), and Maverick Heacock. Great grandma to Joseph Grace, Sophia Waskosky, Roman Torres, Malachi and Maddox and Memphis Flores.

Barb loved to bake, play cards, read, and loved her English bulldogs.

She is survived by her children, Teresa (Wayne Jeno) Westphal of Kenyon, Jeff Westphal, Tara (Carlos) Rodriguez, Karla (Ed) Heacock, all of Faribault; grandchildren; great grandchildren; brothers, David (Betty Lou) and Richard (Kris) Aase of Owatonna, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; oldest son, Tim Westphal; brother, Thomas Austin; sisters, Susan Berntssen and Janice Aase in infancy.

Private family services will be held.