Jason Allan Westerlund

Jason Allan Westerlund, 53, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Friday, April 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Visitation will be held at 11:00 am Friday, May 2 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1103 Broad Street, Mankato, MN, with the funeral service following at 1:00 PM. Burial will be immediately after the service at Glenwood Cemetery, 711 Glenwood Avenue, Mankato MN with a celebration of life at 4:00 PM at The Crooked Pint, 1850 Madison Avenue, Mankato, MN.

Jason was born in Minneapolis, MN on June 3, 1971. His family moved to Hibbing, MN when he was three where he spent his youth until he graduated from Hibbing Memorial High School in June of 1989. Right after high school, he joined the US Army as a ground surveillance specialist. He was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, and served in the Gulf War in Kuwait for 9 months, and one year in Korea. During his time in the service, he received multiple commendations including the Army Commendation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Expert Badge Rifle M-16, Expert Badge Hand Grenade, as well as several service ribbons. He was honorably discharged in June 1993.

Jason returned home to Hibbing, MN where he attended Hibbing Community College studying Accounting. While at HCC he played both hockey and football. He married Dani (Jewett) Westerlund in August of 1995. They had two boys, Zach Westerlund (33) and Austin Westerlund (28). The family moved to Le Sueur, MN in the fall of 1995 where Jason enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato and completed his degree in Accounting in June of 1999. He also played defensive line for Mavericks football and developed life-long friendships with his teammates.

The family moved to Mankato in 1999, where Jason worked as a loan officer at Security State Bank for 5 years. He then joined the FDIC in 2003, where he worked for 22 years as a Senior Risk Examiner. He loved his job and had many wonderful experiences with his colleagues while traveling to locations in Southern-Central Minnesota, as well as to FDIC Headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Jason was passionate about football and hockey serving as youth coaches for Mankato Youth Football and Mankato Area Hockey Association, and served on the Hockey Board for several years. In addition to coaching, he played men’s league hockey with Blue Bricks for almost 20 years. In his free time, Jason loved woodworking, home improvement projects, landscaping, watching his beloved Mavericks play football and hockey as a long-time season ticket holder, hiking, travelling, and riding his Harley’s. Jason met Janet (Grob) Westerlund in 2014 and they were married in April 2017. They spent 11 beloved years together, always being at each other’s side.

Whenever he was out in the community, he was well recognized due to his deep connections throughout the Mankato community. He will be most remembered for his gentle demeanor, humor, wit, kindness and willingness to help anyone at any time, and the love he gave to his family.

Jason is survived by his wife and soulmate Janet Westerlund, sons Zach and Austin Westerlund, Stepson Ben Moldstad (Laura) and Stepdaughter Nicole Sturman (Billy), mother Georgette Corr (Jim), father Ray Westerlund, sister Jessica Vogt (Dan), nieces Kaylee and Payton Vogt, nephew Nolan Vogt, and countless relatives and friends.

Jason was preceded in death by his grandparents Francis and Vivian Westerlund, George and Lois Schindler, stepmother Janet Westerlund.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Mankato Area Hockey Association (MAHA) – Jason Westerlund Memorial Account, Community Bank Mankato, 951Madison Avenue, Mankato MN 56001.