Natalia Virginia (Harkey) Westfall

Natalia Virginia (Harkey) Westfall, 74, died Feb. 25, 2012, at home with her loving family at her side in Wasilla.

Funeral services in honor of Natalia were March 2 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Father Scott Garrett officiated. Natalia’s burial will take place in the spring at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in the Butte.

Natalia was born July 26, 1937, in Mesa, Ariz., daughter of John and Trinidad (Corral) Ruiz.

Natalia moved to Alaska in the early 1960s and lived in several areas of the state, including Anchorage, the DeArmoun area and Wasilla. Natalia was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, gold panning, fossil hunting, berry picking and fishing. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a member of the Valley Garden Club.

The family wrote, “She especially enjoyed taking care of children, dogs, cats and all living things. Natalia loved Jesus, and especially in the last year became a faithful Prayer Warrior.”

Natalia was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Trinidad Ruiz; her sister, Roberta and Josie; her brother, Albert and Jimmy; and first husband, David Harkey.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kurt Westfall; daughter, Mary VanBuskirk (Chris); granddaughter, Fendi VanBuskirk; grandson, Brandon VanBuskirk; step-son, John Harkey (Cheryl); sister, Tina Avelar; brother in-law, Keith Westfall (LaDonna); sister-in-law, Katy Neher; sister-in-law, Kristi Jacobs (Ericka); nieces, Kortnie Westfall, Mary Jo Neher, Libby Lally, Chelsey Hamlin and Christy Soule; nephews, Kaleb Westfall, Ron Soule and Harold Soule. Natalia has several other nieces and nephews in Arizona. She is also survived by her cats, Josie and Little Z, along with her fur grandbabies, Bella LaRue and Bentley.

Family cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.