Kent Westling age 65 of Broken Bow, NE passed away unexpectedly April 27, 2026.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, NE. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Thursday, May 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at govierbrothers.com
Kent Michael Westling was born on November 30, 1960, in Yankton, SD, to Jon and Delores “Kit” (Chytka) Westling. He was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church in Springfield, SD. Kent grew up in Springfield enjoying all sports, with baseball being his favorite. He attended school there from K thru 9th grade. After a family move to Avon, SD, Kent completed high school there graduating in 1979. As a gifted athlete, he participated in football, basketball and track for Avon, especially proud of being a member of the 1978 undefeated (9-0) football team coached by his dad. Kent attended Northern State University, USD/Springfield, and Winona State University (MN) where he graduated with a degree in Mass Communications. He was employed as a newscaster for the next ten years on local radio stations in Winona and Windom, MN, and Huron, SD.
In 1997, Kent changed his career path and relocated to Broken Bow, NE, where he accepted a job in the furniture business with his Uncle Ron and Aunt Cheri Chytka. Kent enjoyed using his broadcasting talent at the Broken Bow radio station announcing play-by-play for the Broken Bow HS football team. Kent found his job and location to his liking, enjoying nearly 29 years. He took great pride and felt blessed to be part of the Bow Family Furniture family. Kent was an avid golfer, spending many days golfing with good friends; he was proud to have been a member, board member, and past president of the Broken Bow Country Club. Every July, Kent would return to Springfield for the Bushwood Reunion, a three-day golf gathering of college classmates at the Dakota’s Pebble Beach.
Kent always enjoyed spending time with family and friends, laughing, telling stories and reminiscing; one of his favorite roles was being “best” uncle to niece, Jillian, and nephew, Luke. No road trip was too far in order to attend their high school and college volleyball and football competitions. Kent loved all of his aunts, uncles, cousins and their children, attending many family gatherings, weddings, graduations, and, of course, the infamous Chytka Cow Camp.
If there was a bat and ball involved, Kent was there. In his early adult years, like his dad, he played several summers of amateur baseball for the Tyndall Arrows. He also played softball for the Springfield Marina fast-pitch team and was a founding member of Ed’s Bait Shoppe slow-pitch softball team. The teams he most passionately followed were the MN Vikings, MN Golden Gophers, and MN Twins. Successful seasons or bad seasons, Kent was a devoted and sometimes cranky, loyal fan.
Kent is survived by his parents, Jon and Delores “Kit” Westling; sister Kay Lynn (Daniel) Whalen; niece Jillian Whalen, and nephew Luke Whalen; aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and friends.
Kent was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Floyd and Gladys Westling, and Tony and Eleanor Chytka; Aunts Patricia, Claire, and Vickie; Uncles Tommy, Buddy, Tony, and Bob.
